When Philip died, the effective regency passed to his brother John, Old Lord of Beirut.

[1] The reason for the early coronation was as a political maneuver by his uncle Philip, who sensed that Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, was going to attempt to seize power.

In 1228 this did occur, as Frederick forced John of Ibelin to hand over the regency to Amalric Barlais, and the island of Cyprus.

However, when Frederick left the island in April, John counter-attacked and regained control, which began the War of the Lombards.

Henry was able to assume control of the kingdom when he came of age at 15, in 1232, and maintained close ties with the Ibelin family.