Henry may have had a motive, but did he have the means? As I understand it, Richard became the princes’ guardian when Edward VI, their father, died and remained their guardian until he was crowned king. During that time when they disappeared he was, apparently, in charge of the Tower. Why didn’t Richard dispel the suspicions about him by just producing the live princes or thier remins and a legitimate explanation for their deaths? Edward VII and his younger borther were Edward VI’s sons and heirs apparent before Richard, giving Richard a motive to kill them. Thus, it appears their disappearences lead straight to Richard’s door.
Or someone who wanted Richard on the throne did it! Still, like you said, why didn’t he make some attempt to prove he didn’t do it? He was their uncle; wouldn’t he want to find out why and how they disappeared? Why wouldn’t he want to find out who killed them once they found out they’d been killed?
If Richard took over as king when his brother died, he would’ve acted as regent, wouldn’t he? But he would’ve had them present at state functions so the people could see them, after the older one was coronated, wouldn’t he? he would’ve been advising him and educating him in ruling the kingdom as he grew! If he was king for at least 2 years before losing to Henry, people would wonder why the didn’t see the princes anymore!
If Henry did it, where were they in those 2 years of Richard’s reign, in the tower? Possibly. But someone would’ve seen them, unless they were sworn to secrecy? Lastly, Henry married their sister, Elizabeth; why would he want to kill his wife’s brothers? Old Henry might have been a turd, but a killer?
For years after the boys disappearance and Richard’s death, a few people claiming to be one of the 2 boys surfaced.(example: Tzar Nickolas’s children, Louis XV1’s son)King Henry V11’s queen actually thought and hoped at least one of them was her one of her long-lost brothers who may have survived.She was overjoyed! Unfortunately, there was no proof, and the poor woman’s hopes were squashed!