Princess Mary Henrietta was born on 4 November 1631 at St. James's Palace, London as the third (but second surviving) child and eldest daughter of Charles I, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and Henrietta Maria of France. She was baptized on the same day of her birth, as there were fears that the newborn princess was not in good health and might die; the ceremony was presided over by William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury. The girl received her first name in honor of her maternal grandmother, Marie de' Medici, Queen of France. Mary's first public appearance took place in 1640 at the baptism of her brother Henry, Duke of Gloucester; she became the only godmother of the little prince.