Page "Mary I of England" Paragraph 7

Despite his affection for Mary, Henry was deeply disappointed that his marriage had produced no sons.

By the time Mary was nine years old, it was apparent that Henry and Catherine would have no more children, leaving Henry without a legitimate male heir.

In 1525, Henry sent Mary to the border of Wales to preside, presumably in name only, over the Council of Wales and the Marches.

She was given her own court based at Ludlow Castle and many of the royal prerogatives normally reserved for the Prince of Wales.

Vives and others called her the Princess of Wales, although she was never technically invested with the title.

She appears to have spent three years in the Welsh Marches, making regular visits to her father's court, before returning permanently to the home counties around London in mid-1528.