Page "Mary I of England" Paragraph 24

At age 37, Mary turned her attention to finding a husband and producing an heir, thus preventing the Protestant Elizabeth ( still her successor under the terms of Henry VIII's will and the Act of Succession of 1544 ) from succeeding to the throne.

Edward Courtenay and Reginald Pole were both mentioned as prospective suitors, but her cousin Charles V suggested she marry his only son, Prince Philip of Spain.

Philip had a son from a previous marriage, and was heir apparent to vast territories in Continental Europe and the New World.

As part of the marriage negotiations, a portrait of Philip by Titian was sent to her in September 1553.