30th of November, 1539: The royal children arrive at court and little Elizabeth immediately makes a play for her father’s attention by addressing him in fluent French, then changing to Italian and then Latin. This display of intellect in such a young girl is amazing for most ambassadors and courtiers (including her loving Grandfather, Thomas Boleyn) the King merely greets her and turns to little Margaret, who now has long, thick golden locks that Henry names:
“The most bright and beauteous locks to ever grace the head of any fair and gorgeous princess.”
The Queen, however, recognises the elder Princess’ talent and publicly commends her, to Henry mixed happiness and hurt (he still only sees Anne in Elizabeth, and the pain of losing her is forever going to be a fresh wound to him). He loves his daughters, but Margaret will forever hold his eye as the Elizabeth of York look alike.
One person who is very impressed with Elizabeth is, however, the Portuguese ambassador, who is a close friend of the Duke of Beja and wants to get back Mary Tudor by raising her enemy’s daughter to high places, possibly even as a rival Queen. So he offers the hand of Juan of Beja, the future Duke of Beja and claimant for the Portuguese throne.
Many look to this as a good sign of positive relations between the Portuguese and English, and possibly better relations between Spain as a whole and England. Hopefully.