On the night of Saturday, 9 March 1566 Mary, Queen of Scots’ private secretary, David Rizzio, was murdered in the queen's private chambers at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

As Mary and Rizzio were having dinner Darnley suddenly appeared, speaking to Mary as a group of around 80 armed nobles made their way to the Queen’s chambers.

A heavily pregnant Mary was held back while the men stabbed Rizzio 56 times with the final blow stuck by Darnley's dagger, though not byb his hand.