Dutch Infanta

What would the results be if King Charles II had married Henriette Katharina of Oranje (who he referred to as his Infanta), the sister-in-law of his own sister, Mary. AFAIK Mary talked Charles out of it because she didn't enjoy the idea of playing second fiddle to her former sister-in-law in London. Also Henrietta Maria wasn't a fan of the Oranjes because of Amalia of Solms-Brauenfels' former post as lady in waiting to Elizabeth of Bohemia.

And would they do with Catherine of Braganza? She was also proposed for Don Juan Jose of Austria, Francois de Vendome, Cte de Beaufort and I think someone else too. IMO a marriage between her and Don Juan (with children) would be interesting.
 
Personally I think that marrying her to Don Juan wouldn't be possible. The offer was only made because the Portuguese were desperate to end the war with the Habsburgs, but as long as Philip IV would still see the Braganzas as usurpers he would never allow his illegitimate son to marry a daughter of his rebell vassal and thus recognize any potential claim he could have.

Regarding Charles' choice for a bride, the problem here is the candidate to beat the huge dowry offered by the Portuguese in exchange for Catherine's hand:Tangier, Bombay, the right of free trade with the Portuguese Empire and £300,000 in cash.
 
That dowry for Catherine of Braganza IIRC was actually paid by Louis XIV (he paid the dowry of x amount for Mademoiselle d'Aumale when she married Afonso VI, and the amount still outstanding to the English was paid from HER dowry).

Also, when Charles was rumored to be marrying Henriette, the monarchy was yet to be restored, and he had already been turned down by La Grande Mademoiselle, Hortense Mancini (I think, couldve been another Mazarinette), and another possible wife (can't remember who or why it was). So he mightve married Henriette for the sake of getting a quasi-royal bride who's socially upwardly mobile mother would be delighted at such a match.

Mary died the Christmas following the restoration, and charles didn't marry Catherine until 1661/62 so there was still time for Amalia to decide that king of England trumps prince of Anhalt-Dessau hands down, and Henrietta Maria would just have to deal with TWO undesireable daughters-in-law instead of one (Anne Hyde).
 
That dowry for Catherine of Braganza IIRC was actually paid by Louis XIV (he paid the dowry of x amount for Mademoiselle d'Aumale when she married Afonso VI, and the amount still outstanding to the English was paid from HER dowry).

Also, when Charles was rumored to be marrying Henriette, the monarchy was yet to be restored, and he had already been turned down by La Grande Mademoiselle, Hortense Mancini (I think, couldve been another Mazarinette), and another possible wife (can't remember who or why it was). So he mightve married Henriette for the sake of getting a quasi-royal bride who's socially upwardly mobile mother would be delighted at such a match.

Another thing was that although there had been talks of Charles II marrying Catherine even BEFORE Charles I lost everything from the neck up, talks stagnated during the English republic, and Luiza de Guzmao started sounding out the Comte de Beaufort and Don Juan Jose, even offering her for Louis XIV while Maria Teresa was unavailable.

Mary died the Christmas following the restoration, and Charles didn't marry Catherine until 1661/62 so there was still time for Amalia to decide that king of England trumps prince of Anhalt-Dessau hands down, and Henrietta Maria would just have to deal with TWO undesireable daughters-in-law instead of one (Anne Hyde).

And Catherine might be old(er) than normal if she has to wait for Felipe IV to die, but a marriage to Juan Jose might still be on the cards to cement a peace treaty between Portugal and Spain. But, the queen hated Juan Jose so maybe let her die ahead of schedule (perhaps in childbed after delivering Carlos II), and let Juan Jose be regent for Carlos II from the get go, then he could arrange his own marriage to Catherine
 
Top