Charlotte of Albret

Charlotte of Albret is the sister of King John III of Navarre and the wife of Cesare Borgia. She married Cesare as a means of strengthening France's alliance with the Papal States, and she is renowned for her beauty and wealth.

Historical Biography
Charlotte of Albret was born in France in 1480, the daughter of Alain I of Albret, the great-great-granddaughter of Charles d'Albret, and the sister of John III of Navarre. She was originally a lady-in-waiting to Queen Joan of France, and the Queen offered her as a bride to Cesare Borgia when he travelled to France in 1499. They fell in love at a dance, and Cesare took her virginity by the fireplace that same night. On 10 May 1499, the two of them married, strengthening Borgia's alliance to the Kingdom of France. Shortly after the wedding, Cesare Borgia accompanied King Louis XII of France on his invasion of Milan during the Italian War of 1499-1504. They had one daughter, Louise Borgia, who married Louis de la Tremoille in 1517. She became Duchess of Valentinois after her husband was created Duke, and she served as regent to her daughter from Cesare's death at the Siege of Viana in 1507 until her own death in 1514.

Season three
Charlotte is presented by Queen Joan of France, the wife of King Louis XII of France. She became the wife of Cesare Borgia in season 3, episode 5.

Cesare Borgia
Cesare meets Charlotte d'Albret during his journey to France. King Louis of France offers her, among other things, to him as a wife, in exchange for the Papal bull that annuls his marriage. Charlotte and Cesare seem to have chemistry right from the start. Both claim to be to each other's satisfaction. None of them seems to really care about whether or not they will truly love each other. Charlotte's dowry is 50,000 ducats and property to match his title of Duke of Valentinois.