How many children did Henry VIII have?

KING HENRY VIII is known for having multiple wives - so you'd expect him to have a whole horde of kids.

But not everything turned out as planned for the notorious king.

How many children did Henry VIII have?

One of the most famous kings in British royal history, Henry VIII had six wives and several children - many of which didn't survive past infancy or were stillborn.

Henry VIII's first two wives, Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn also suffered miscarriages.

However he did go on to father three legitimate children - who all became kings or queens of England.

Here's everything you need to know about the famous king and his offspring - including one acknowledged illegitimate child.

Edward VI

Born October 12, 1537, Edward VI was the first surviving and only legitimate son.

His mother, Jane Seymour who was the king's third wife, died shortly after child birth from postnatal complications.

The heir to the throne was described as the king's ''most noble and most precious jewel.''

After being raised a protestant, Edward continued his father's work in the reformation of the Church and the removal of Catholicism across Britain.

At the age of just nine, Edward VI was crowned king on February 20, 1572, and reigned for just six years.

In February 1553, the young king became ill and died just a few months later on July 6, 1553, aged 15 - possibly from tuberculosis.

Before his death, Edward feared that Mary I would reverse the reformation and take back Catholicism - so he decided to disown his sisters and plan to pass his reign to his cousin, Lady Jane Grey.

She is the shortest reigning UK monarch and became known as the Nine Day Queen.

Mary I

The child of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, Mary Tudor was born on February 8, 1516.

Her father always favoured her - until her mother was unable to produce a male heir.

After her parents divorced, her mother split from the Roman Catholic Church and as a result Mary I was reduced from a princess to a lady.

After her father's death, she became a focus for Catholic opposition to her brother Edward VI and his Protestant followers.

After the death of her brother, Mary I was crowned Queen of England and fought hard to reverse the English Reformation and bring back Catholicism.

In the battle to achieve her goals, Mary I had her only opposition and granddaughter of Henry VIII's sister, Lady Jane Grey beheaded - earning her the nickname "Bloody Mary".

During her five year reign, the queen also burned over 280 religious dissenters.

In May 1558, she fell ill and just a few months later she died on November 17, 1558 - at the age of 42.

As she had no children, the crown was passed to her younger sister Elizabeth I.

Elizabeth I

Born on September 7, 1533, Elizabeth I is the child of Anne Boleyn, the king's second wife - who was beheaded just two years after the birth of her daughter.

During the reign of her sister Mary I, Elizabeth was imprisoned in the Tower of London for allegations of plotting with Protestants - she was spared execution due to her support from the government.

At the age of 25, Elizabeth became queen after her sister's death - she quickly began to pass laws and move the country back to Protestantism.

She was nicknamed "The Virgin Queen" due to never being married or having any children.

In March 1603 the reigning queen fell ill and later died on March 24, - aged 69.

Her legacy was one of the most important - she solidified the Protestant Church of England, which still stands today.

Henry Fitzroy

Despite rumours of the king have several illegitimate children, Henry VIII only acknowledged one son.

Born on June 15, 1519, Henry Fitzroy become the first Duke of Richmond and Somerset.

His mother was Elizabeth Blount - the lady-in-waiting of Catherine of Aragon.

Henry was appointed Lord High Admiral of England and Lord President of the council of the North, effectively placing the North under his control.

However, he was never next in line to the throne.

Instead, James VI of Scotland was crowned James I of England after Elizabeth's death.