Charlotte of Cyprus

Charlotte of Cyprus or Charlotte de Lusignan (Nicosia, 1442/1443 – Rome, July 16, 1487), was the daughter of King John II of Cyprus and Elena Palaeologus. Her mother was a daughter of Theodore II Palaeologus, Despot of Morea and his wife Cleope Malatesta. Theodore was in turn a son of Eastern Roman Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus and Helena Dragas. At the age of 22, upon her father's death, Charlotte became Queen of Cyprus, ruling from 1458 to 1460 or 1464. Her right to the throne was challenged by her illegitimate half-brother James. After being blockaded in the castle of Kyrenia for three years, in 1463 she fled to Rome, whereupon her half-brother was crowned King James II. She was married twice:

1. Infante Dom João de Portugal (1431 or 1433 – between July and September 11, 1457), 2nd Duke of Coimbra (grandson of John I, King of Portugal), in Nicosia, May, 1456. He was made a Titular Prince of Antioch. It is rumoured that his death was a murder due to poisoning, instigated by his mother-in-law Queen Helena.
2. Ludovico di Savoia, Count of Geneva (Geneva, June 5, 1436 or April 1, 1437 – Château-Monastery de Ripaille, August, 1482), firstly married in April 1/December 14, 1447 (separated, divorced and marriage annulled 1458) Annabella of Scotland (ca 1433 – after 1471, later married and divorced George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly). The couple were married in October 4, 1459. Louis was the second son and namesake of Louis, Count of Savoy by Anne of Lusignan, daughter of Janus of Cyprus and became a Consort King of Cyprus from 1459 to 1462 and also a Titular Consort King of Jerusalem.

She died childless. In 1485, she ceded her claims to her nephew Charles I of Savoy, the next in the legitimate line of succession. She is buried in St. Peter's Basilica.