The Duchess had been delighted with the appearance of her son, then twenty years of age, but already an accomplished cavalier.

She had expressed her especial pleasure in finding him so thoroughly a Spaniard "in manner, costume, and conversation," that it could not be supposed he had ever visited any other land, or spoken any other tongue than that of Spain.
The nobles of the Flemish court did not participate in the mother's enthusiasm.

It could not be denied that he was a handsome and gallant young prince; but his arrogance was so intolerable as to disgust even those most disposed to pay homage to Margaret's son.

He kept himself mainly in haughty retirement, dined habitually alone in his own apartments, and scarcely honored any of the gentlemen of the Netherlands with his notice.

Even Egmont, to whose care he had been especially recommended by Philip, was slighted.