Mary, Queen of Scots , 1542 - 1587. Reigned 1542 - 1567 (In white mourning)

Within eighteen months Mary, Queen of Scots, lost three members of her closest family - her father-in-law, Henry II of France, her mother, Mary of Guise, and finally, on 5 December 1560, her husband, François II of France. She is shown here in mourning, wearing a white hood and veil. According to the Venetian Ambassador to the French court, Mary was inconsolable and her 'tears and lamentations inspired a great pity' in everyone. Eight months later, having lost her position as Queen of France, Mary landed at Leith to take up her duties as Queen of Scotland.