Page "The empire on which the sun never sets" Paragraph 5

The phrase gained added resonance during the reign of Charles's son, King Philip II of Spain.

The Philippines was obtained by Spain in 1565.

When King Henry of Portugal died, Philip II was recognised as King of Portugal in 1581, resulting in a personal union of the crowns.

He now reigned over all his father's possessions ( except the Holy Roman Empire ) and the Portuguese Empire, which included territories in South America, Africa, Asia and islands in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans.