Philip

[Tudor Book Blog]

"Their majesties are the happiest couple int he world, and more in love than words can say. His highness never leaves her, and when they are on the road he is ever by her side, helping her to mount and dismount."

While the courtiers may have thought this, Porter paints a different picture. What do you think about Philip? What do you think about his relationship with Mary? With Elizabeth?

[Val]

It is difficult to get a clear picture of Philip.
The attentiveness may have been courtesy and nothing to do with his actual feelings about Mary. She does seem to have been genuinely fond of him, but he may have viewed the marriage as more about dynastic politics than love.
The courtiers were witnesses and would have known the true situation, but they might not have written about it.
I'm not sure we can draw any conclusions from him leaving and going back to Spain either. He had his own country to look after and it was his duty as a King to put Spain first.
Porter does have some evidence to back up her opinion, but it is not that convincing one way or the other.