Despite the colossal disappointment for Henry's realm, the little girl was very much loved by her mother from the moment she was born. She was swiftly named Elizabeth - in honor of both her grandmothers - Anne's mother Elizabeth Howard, and Henry's mother Elizabeth of York. Her birth announcements were sent out with great excitement, though everyone could clearly see that the word "prince" had been hastily edited to include a scrawled "s"- showing that Henry and Anne had been so sure in the birth of a son that they had created the birth announcements a bit prematurely.
Though Anne was certainly disappointed that she hadn't given the King the very thing she'd promised him - and used as a method of luring him away from Katherine of Aragon - this wasn't necessarily a reason for panic.
Of course, this sweet and doting treatment of the princess would only last a little over three years, until the time her mother would be executed on trumped-up charges of treason, adultery and incest. At that point, Elizabeth would be stripped of her titles (and her father's love) and become virtually abandoned by Henry. Soon after, Henry's third wife Jane Seymour would deliver his most precious child, a son named Edward, who would inherit the throne at the age of nine in 1547.
It is a bit funny to think that, although Henry was displeased with the birth of Elizabeth on this day in 1533, she would actually grow up to become one of the greatest monarchs England has ever seen! She would become "Gloriana," "Good Queen Bess," the leader of England's Golden Age - beloved by her people and respected by all the world, both then and throughout the future. If only Henry had known that at the time...
It is also ironic to consider that Henry's most notorious wife, Anne would triumph over all, through her daughter. It wasn't good, sweet Jane's son Edward who would have the wonderful reputation and notoriety - it was the "witch," the "concubine," the "whore," Anne Boleyn's daughter. A very interesting and ironic twist of fate, isn't it?
So on that note we can say...
Happy 479th Birthday, Elizabeth!