Anne of Cleves Loved Henry’s Children
Henry didn’t bother trying to have children with Anne during their brief marriage, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t a good maternal figure. Anne insisted on being able to continue a relationship with Princess Mary, Princess Elizabeth, and Prince Edward. She had bonded with each of them during her time with Henry, wanting to provide them stability and maternal guidance.
Historians credit Anne of Cleves with reconciling Henry and the standoffish Princess Mary. Since divorce terms meant Anne could never marry, they would be her family. Anne once affectionately said of Elizabeth, “…to have had [Elizabeth] for her daughter would have been [a] greater happiness to her than being queen.”
