Anne of Cleves – A New “Brother”
After years of wives resisting their marital breakups, when Anne accepted Henry’s divorce, his gratitude extended beyond gifts of real estate. He declared her his “sister.” This elevated Anne’s status, ranking only behind King Henry and his immediate family.
Over time, as noted by historians David Starkey and Alison Weir, he came to genuinely regard her in a sisterly fashion, declaring her fourth among women in England only behind his current wife and his two daughters. He declared her the “King’s beloved sister” and they seem to have shared an interest in renovation and upgrading their homes, exchanging cooks and household gadgets.
