Henrietta Maria of France along with her sisters, in riding, dancing, and singing, and took part in French court plays. Although tutored in reading and writing, she was not known for her academic skills; the princess was heavily influenced by the Carmelites at French court. By 1622, Henrietta Maria was living in Paris with a household of some 200 staff, and marriage plans were being discussed. Henrietta Maria first met her future husband in Paris, in 1623, while he was travelling to Spain with the Duke of Buckingham to discuss a possible marriage with the Infanta Maria Anna of Spain – Charles first saw
Henrietta Maria of France coming out of her mouth like tusks... She did, however, have pretty eyes, nose, and a good complexion..." Henrietta Maria married Charles at Notre Dame in Paris by proxy on 1 May 1625, shortly after his accession to the throne, Charles being represented by a French courtier. Charles and Henrietta Maria then spent their first night together at the royal palace of St. Augustine's, Canterbury, Kent, on 13 June 1625. When Charles was crowned in Westminster on 2 February 1626, Henrietta Maria's Catholic religion made it impossible for her to be crowned in an Anglican service; Henrietta Maria had proposed