Anna was the eldest daughter of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor, and Maria of Spain, who were first cousins.

She was born in Spain during the reign of her maternal grandfather, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, but lived in Vienna from the age of four.

As the eldest daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor, Anna was a desirable candidate for marriage at the European courts.

Initially she considered her cousin, Don Carlos, the only son of her maternal uncle Philip II of Spain.

Anna passed along the English Channel, where Elizabeth I sent her admirals, Charles Howard and William Wynter, to offer support and safe passage.

[2] They traveled through the Netherlands, where Anna was accosted by friends and relatives of Floris of Montigny, the younger brother of the executed Count of Horn.

Philip was a conscientious monarch and maintained his relationship with Anna twice a week in the form of notes, as well as visiting his wife's bedchamber up to three times a day.