As quickly as Mary had granted Darnley a royal title, she decided to strip him of it. She could not prevent him from signing his letters “Henry R” (i.e., Henry Rex) if he chose to do so, but she could deny him the “crown matrimonial.” Fortunately for her, that could be granted only in Parliament. And if the crown matrimonial was withheld, then Darnley could never be crowned. He would enjoy no legal status as king, and could make no claim to the succession should Mary die childless.
