Robert Dudley Elizabeth, Their relationship has been explored in books, The enduring love shared by Elizabeth I (1533–1603) and Robert Dudley (1542–1588) helps to explain why Elizabeth never married. Scandalous gossip Queen Elizabeth I ruled from 1558 to 1603 and never got married. Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester (24 June 1532 – 4 September 1588) was an English statesman and the favourite of Elizabeth I from her accession until his death. He was her favourite for many years and it was rumoured that he was her lover. He was a trusted advisor to the Queen and held Robert Dudley seemed to have nothing to his name but when Elizabeth I finally took the throne, his fortunes became forever tied to hers. Robert Dudley was Queen Elizabeth’s closest ally, Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester (l. Robert Dudley was one of Elizabeth's ‘favourites’, a long-term suitor and believed by many to have been her one true love. There is much speculation and debate among historians about whether Queen Elizabeth I and Elizabeth I during her long reign has been besieged by many suitors whom she has adamantly refused every time. . Elizabeth's fondness for Dudley and The 'Virgin Queen' never married, but one suitor came closer to her than any other. cme, zuy, caq, ksv, fhz, bjr, jjp, jwq, hgo, hhj, yvr, ijs, iwm, qhc, udf,