Born to Henry VIII and Catharine of Aragon in 1516, Mary Tudor took the English throne in 1553. In 1554, she married Felipe II. She died in 1558. Sitting on a sumptuous embroidered velvet armchair, the queen wears a gray dress with a floral pattern, and a maroon velvet coat. This rich clothing is in keeping with her high status, as are the jewels on her clothing, head, cuffs and belt. A tear-shaped pearl pendent hangs from her collar. Her right hand holds a red rose that symbolizes the Tudor family, and the left has a pair of gloves, which are also a symbol of distinction.

This portrait combines the meticulous description characteristic of Flemish painting with the majestic distance imposed by the sitter's dignity, which Mor masterfully captures in this work that became a model for later court portraits.

Before marrying Felipe II, the queen had been engaged to Carlos V, who kept this portrait with him when he retired to the Monastery of Yuste. It was already mentioned in the Alcázar Palace in Madrid by 1600.

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