In the late 19th century, the island of Crete experienced a series of uprisings against Ottoman rule, culminating in the Cretan insurrection of 1897. This turmoil drew the attention of international powers, and subsequently, Crete became a protectorate, with Greek Prince George I being appointed as the High Commissioner. The complex dynamics involved various ethnic groups and external influences from Greece, the Ottoman Empire, and European powers. Amidst these tensions, on April 1, 1900, Prince George proclaimed himself as the absolute monarch of the Cretan State. This declaration was aimed at providing a cohesive and stable governance structure to replace the disarray brought about by decades of conflict and foreign intervention. The legitimacy derived from his Greek royal status fostered hopes for eventual annexation to Greece, which echoed the aspirations of many Cretans seeking independence from Ottoman control. The move to absolute monarchy was viewed as a bold step towards establishing a central authority capable of navigating the island through its precarious geopolitical landscape and internal divisions.