Palmer's house, situated in the Strand, next Earl Sandwich's, and
of the king and the duke being with that lady: again, in the
Chapel Royal, Whitehall, he observed, whilst Dr. Herbert Croft
prayed and preached,"how the Duke of York and Mrs. Palmer did
talk to one another very wantonly through the hangings that part
the king's closet and the closet where the ladies sit." And
later on, when he witnessed "The Humorous Lieutenant" performed
before the court, he noted the royal favourite was likewise
present, "with whom the king do discover a great deal of
familiarity."

Presently, in February, 1661, exactly nine months after his
majesty's return, Mrs. Palmer gave birth to a daughter. To the
vast amusement of the court, no less than three men claimed the
privilege of being considered father of this infant. One of
these was my Lord Chesterfield, whom the child grew to resemble
in face and person; the second was Roger Palmer, who left her his
estate; the third was King Charles, who had her baptized Anne
Palmer Fitzroy, adopted her as his daughter, and eventually
married her to the Earl of Sussex.

Soon after the restoration the subject of his majesty's marriage
was mooted by his councillors, who trusted a happy union would
redeem him from vice, and, by bringing him heirs, help to
establish him more firmly in the affections of his people. The
king lending a willing ear to this advice, the sole difficulty in
carrying it into execution rested in the selection of a bride
congenial to his taste and equal to his sovereignty. King Louis
of France had no sisters, and his nieces had not commended
themselves to the merry monarch's favour during his stay abroad.