In short, the American colonies lost the Revolutionary War. In 1779, George Washington was captured and executed as a war criminal. Without the American Revolution to fuel revolutionary sentiment in other countries, France, China, Spain, Japan and Russia maintained their centuries-old aristocracies.
The North American continent is largely ruled by the British government and is separated into two large territories: the Western and Eastern Americas. Mexico is ruled by Spain, although Canada on this world is a constant battleground between the French and the Brits.
The Western America territory is governed by the sheriff; a vain, media-seeking Maximillian Arturo. The author of the bestselling book Everything I Say is Right, Arturo was removed from power during an abortive coup attempt and planned assassination of King Harold.
Visiting this world is like flying to London without the eight-hour jetlag. Annoying tabloids, market saturation of soccer as popular support, supremely cool art nouveau architecture and terrible food. Travel across the bay to Oakland and you’ll be treated to a glorious private nature reserve instead of gangland warfare and modified exhaust pipes. Beware, though; entering the glade will get you killed by either royal security or a group of brigands known as the Oakland Raiders.