The youngest son of Charles III, Duke of Lorraine and his wife Princess Claude of France he was styled the Count of Vaudémont during his father"s reign (1545–1608) as well as during that of his older brother Henri (1608–1624). His father appointed him as his deputy (Lieutenant General) of Lorraine, while in 1594 he was out of the country. From September to October 1606 he was in his father"s diplomatic mission in England.
That same year he was Lieutenant General of the French king in Toul and Verdun. The reason for the rift was Henry"s intention to have Francis" son Charles marry Henri II"s daughter Nicolette of Lorraine and to leave Lorraine to her, even though the will of Duke René II had provided for a strictly male succession. After Francis" brother died on 31 July 1624, the situation became complicated.
Henri"s final rules specified that Charles could only be the Duke of Lorraine as Nicolette"s husband and was styled as the Prince consort of Lorraine.
In November 1625, however, it was Francis himself who became the ruler of Lorraine. Having claimed the duchy for himself, he got it on 21 November 1625 from the duchy"s States General.
In his will, Francis stated that he "never had ambitions to wear a crown in this world". After his abdication, Francis II took on the management of the county of Vaudémontana
He died less than a year later.
Henri de Lorraine, Marquis of Hattonchâtel (1602–1611) died young;
Charles de Lorraine, Duke of Lorraine (1604–1675) married Nicolette de Lorraine, no issue. Married (bigamously) Béatrice de Cusance and had issue;
Henriette de Lorraine (1605–1660), married Louis de Lorraine, Prince of Lexin, son of Louis II, Cardinal of Guise, no issue;
Nicolas de Lorraine, Duke of Lorraine (1609–1670) married Claude de Lorraine and had issue;
Marguerite de Lorraine (1615–1672), married Gaston de France, Duke of Orléans and had issue;
Christine de Lorraine (1621–1622) died in infancy. Titles and styles
27 February 1572 – 25 November 1625 His Highness the Count of Vaudémont
25 November 1625 – 1 December 1625 His Highness the Duke of Lorraine
1 December 1625 – 14 October 1632 His Highness the Count of Vaudémontana
