Philip II, King of Spain

Philip II, King of Spain (1527-1598), Husband of Mary I.

This pair of portraits of Philip and Mary are dated 1555 and may have been produced to celebrate their union. It is likely that these images were made in multiple versions, possibly as gifts for courtiers both in England and abroad. Soon after their marriage Mary was thought to be pregnant but by June 1555 this proved untrue, and Philip left England only a few months later.

The likeness of Philip is based on a portrait by the Italian artist Titian which was sent to Mary in late 1553.