Married Henry, Duke of Orléans, future Henry II of France, linking Medici and Valois dynasties.
On October 28, 1533, Catherine de’ Medici married Henry, Duke of Orléans, in a union arranged to solidify the political alliance between the Medici and Valois families. The marriage took place in Marseille amidst considerable fanfare. This crucial political alliance eventually positioned her as Queen Consort of France upon Henry's rise to the throne. Their marriage symbolized a fusion of Italy’s financial influence and France’s political power, laying the groundwork for her future role in the governance of France.