Catherine of Aragon’s marriage to Henry VIII

Catherine of Aragon by Michel Sittow

On the 11 June 1509 Catherine of Aragon married King Henry VIII in a private ceremony at his waterside palace in Greenwich.

This was Catherine’s second marriage, as her first to Henry’s brother Arthur ended tragically with his death in 1502.

Catherine was now 23 years of age and Henry only 17. The ceremony took place in one of the Queen’s Closets and was witnessed by only a few selected guests.

One can imagine the immense relief that Catherine must have felt at finally being wed and no longer an outcast.

After all, it hadn’t been an easy road; she was formally betrothed to Henry on June 25 1503 and then endured the humiliation of Henry VII calling off the betrothal in 1507.

When she had lost almost all hope, Henry VII died and Henry VIII fulfilled his promise to Catherine.

The years of uncertainty were now a distant memory. Catherine was the beloved wife of Henry VIII and soon to be anointed Queen of England.

References

Tremlett, G. Catherine of Aragon: Henry’s Spanish Queen, 2010.