She was born in 1303, sometime before 15 April, the eldest daughter of Charles, count of Valois, and Catherine I.
Her mother was recognized as Empress of the Latin Empire of Constantinople by the Latin states in Greece, despite the city having been captured by the Empire of Nicaea in 1261. She was still a child and remained in the custody of her father, who managed her claims to the empire until his death in 1325.
She was Princess consort of Achaea and Taranto, and also regent of Achaea from 1332—1341, and Governor of Cephalonia from 1341—1346. Catherine inherited her claims as the titular Empress on 11 October 1307. An early betrothal to Hugh of Burgundy, made on 15 April 1303 when she was an infant, was renounced in 1312.
Naples
In July 1313, Catherine married Philip I of Taranto, King of Albania and Prince of Achaea, who was the younger brother of Robert, King of Naples.
Robert, his eldest surviving son, succeeded him as Prince of Taranto in 1331. Catherine became influential at the court of Naples.
This was because Maria was heir presumptive to the throne of Naples, and the Durazzos were rivals to her own family. Achaea
However, the thirteen-year-old boy was deemed too young to reign alone, and his mother became his co-ruler for the rest of her life.
Initially ruling through appointed baillis, in summer 1338 Catherine mustered a fleet and took her whole household to Achaea, where she took an active part in its government.
She gave refuge to Nikephoros II Orsini of Epirus, and supported him in his attempt to assert himself in his land against the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos III Palaiologos. Final Years
Her presence in Achaea was no longer needed by the time Robert reached adulthood in 1341. She became Governor of Cephalonia and spent the last five years of her life in this responsibility.
When asked to give them up, she refused and stated she would punish them herself if they were guilty.
She died in Naples in October 1346. Queen Joan organized her funeral at the church of San Domenico.
By Philip I of Taranto, Catherine II had four children:
Margaret (c 1325–1380), married Francis of Baux, Duke of Andria. By Francis, she was the mother of James of Baux, Prince of Achaea and titular Emperor of Constantinople.
Robert (1326–1364), Prince of Taranto, titular Emperor of Constantinople (as Robert II).
Philip II (1329–1374), Prince of Taranto and Achaea, titular Emperor of Constantinople (as Philip III).
