The scene opens with the newly crowned King Henry IV and his wife, Madame Pernelle, arriving at the palace. They are greeted by the King's attendants, who tell them that the King is in the middle of a conversation with his father. The King tells them that he has come to ask his father for permission to marry Pernelle. The attendants tell him that the marriage will take place at the end of the day, but the King says that he will wait until after the wedding to make a final decision.