Once in Spain, Claude-Elizabeth was married to her husband in a second, in person ceremony. From this point on she was referred to as Her Majesty, Queen Consort Claude-Elizabeth Catherine, Queen of Castile, of León, of Granada, of Toledo, of Galicia, of Seville, of Cordoba, of Murcia, of Jaen, of the Algarves, of Algeciras, of Gibraltar, of the Canary Islands, of the Indias, the Islands and Mainland of the Ocean Sea, Lady of Biscay, Queen of Aragon, Queen of Naples, Queen of Sicily, Duchess of Athens, of Neopatria, Queen of Valencia, Queen of Majorca, Queen of Sardinia, of Corsica, Margrave of Oristano, Countess of Goceano, Queen of Navarre, Duchess of Half Savoy or for short, Her most Catholic Majesty, Queen Claude-Elizabeth of the Spains.
The young queen settled into the forgein court well. Her husband had been generous, along with the gift of his daughter, he gave the income of several duchies, and a number of castles to her to do with what she will. One of which was the Palacio Real de Aranjuez which she would renovate into a stunning Franco style villa. On top of this she received her Queen's pension and access to the royal jewels. Her husband was indifferent to her, neither cruel nor kind. He was the best kind of husband that a renaissance Queen could ask for. He did his marital duties, and kept his mistresses discreet. She was given full reign over court and used her powers liberally, never interfering in politics.
Claude-Elizabeth desired that the Spanish court would rival the beauty and fanfare of the French one. She would eskew many Spanish traditions of priority in favor of more French and English ones of fun and fashion. However, she took care to do so gradually, so as not to alienate her new people. She also took a cue from her mother's infamous flying squadron and encouraged her ladies to use unsavory means to gather information for their mistress.
Through it all Claude-Elizabeth kept up regular contact with Henry, Charles, and Henrriettia. So she was one of the first to hear when Henry, 21 and Maria, 23 were expecting. She was also one of the first to hear that Queen Catherine, 45 and King Henry, 45 were expecting at the same time. Henry and Maria's baby was born first, on June 2nd. 1564. The boy was named Francis, in honor of his uncle. Claude-Elizabeth was 17.
Two month later, when Catherine, 8 months pregnant, and Henry were traveling back to the palace from a party, the carriage tipped over. When the dust that night in August settled, Queen Catherine was dead. Because of her injuries from the accident and labor, Queen Catherine found herself in dire straits. Her barely conscious husband had to choose: His wife or his child. He chose his child, the newborn Réginald, Duc de Lorraine.
King Henry II himself succumbed to his wounds two weeks later. This was the first of the tragedies that would strike the royal family in the years to come.
Claude-Elizabethreturned to France with a Spanish entourage for her parents' funerals. The funerals took place 4 months later, in late November. For those few weeks before her brother's coronation Claude-Elizabeth was technically the highest ranking lady at court as the only crowned queen. In January of 1565 Claude-Elizabeth's brother was crowned, Henry III.
Unable to attend the coronation was Maria of Spain, currently in confinement with her first child. She, along with the child would die, just weeks after the coronation Her younger sister, Isabella, who she was quite close to would be driven mad with grief. Blaming Claude-Elizabeth for both her and her sister's marriage, Isabella burst into Claude-Elizabeth's chambers to berate her, just days after Maria's death. The recently widowed Charles de Valois was in attendance and recalled, "Ma soeur faisait la cour dans le cubicule de cette dame, et à cette heure-là, comme un beldams possédé, la comtesse Penthièvre fit irruption dans le divertissement. Comme la dame s'approchait de la reine, un garde s'est mis à griser devant la maîtresse, faisant enrager cette dame. Penthièvre continua à appeler ma soeur des noms les plus offensants, qu'il ne faut pas écrire, car ils représentent tous ma famille".
"Mine sister wast holding court in that lady cubiculos at which hour, like a possessed beldams, the countess penthievre did burst into the entertainment. As the lady did approach the queen a guard did grise in front of the mistress, enraging that lady moo. Penthievre continued to calleth mine sister the most offensive of names, which a shalt not writeth as they fig all mine family"
"My sister was holding court in her rooms when, like a possessed witch, the Countess Penthievre burst into the entertainment. As she approached the queen a guard stepped in front of the lady, enraging her more. Penthievre continued to call my sister the most offensive of names, which a shall not write as they insult all my family."
Claude-Elizabeth, having never liked Isabella ordered her confined to her chambers for the remaining festivities. An order, which King Henry and the Count Penthievre upheld. The Count Penthievre and Hennrettia personally apologized to Claude-Elizabeth. Penthievre did so publicly. Still, the shame on the Epernon-Penthievre name was not over. Isabella determined that it was worth it to be reunited with her sister again. In on February 15th of 1565 Isabella of Spain hung herself in her rooms.
Upon hearing of the death of his daughters Phillp immediately recalled Claude-Elizabeth to Spain. She took her time though, and would not arrive in Madrid until June, four months later, having progressed through half of Spain. The people had adored her.
Philip was not displeased with Claude-Elizabeth but rather worried for her safety, having not heard how his daughters died. However she spun it, Claude's relationship with Phillpe was not noticeably affected by her actions before Isabella's death. In fact it was more likely that Phillpe was displeased with Isabella, at the time suicude was a grave sin, while childbed deaths were common.