Mary I dies giving birth to a daughter

True, but Phillip II is unlikely to marry away England to his enemy the French.
What about a French candidate that is pro-Habsburg, similar to the French Bourbon taking Spain in 1800.

Another interesting marriage is Sebastian I of Portugal (20 January 1554 – 4 August 1578) this could be a bigger Habsburg take over of Europe.
 
The Portuguese match might be the most likely option here. Duarte is the safest option given that he's from an old ally, a nation that holds ties to Spain (preferred by Philip so as to keep England in his sphere), a younger son of a king and not (as far as the English are aware) likely to inherit the kingdom. He's also cousin to Queen Catherine through his grandmother Maria of Aragon which might be enough to satisfy Philip. More distant than any of her other cousins at this point too. A non-Hapsburg cousin match means that there's a chance that England, while aligned with Portugal (especially if we see a Portuguese Succession Crisis TTL), will be able to go off on its own against Spain and the Hapsburgs.

England's going to need to play nice with both Spain and France if the Netherlands and Portugal are inherited by future Kings. That's honestly an interesting scenario.
 
Portugal for Catherine is a big no for Philip in my opinion. For him: Cleves is an option, Farnese maybe another, Ferdinand or Ernest of Bavaria acceptable choices and one of Maximilian and Maria's younger kids (either Maximilian or Albert but also Matthias can work) the best choice.
Better resign yourself to the fact who being a woman little Cathy will likely marry one of her first or second cousins (and not one from Portugal).
Both Philip and Sebastian will be, for different reasons, very against a match between Catherine of England and Guimaras so stop to think that can happen
 
Portugal for Catherine is a big no for Philip in my opinion. For him: Cleves is an option, Farnese maybe another, Ferdinand or Ernest of Bavaria acceptable choices and one of Maximilian and Maria's younger kids (either Maximilian or Albert but also Matthias can work) the best choice.
Better resign yourself to the fact who being a woman little Cathy will likely marry one of her first or second cousins (and not one from Portugal)
Farnese it is!!
Anglo-Parmese Union!!!
 
Top