He succeeded his father in the Elbeuf dukedom (Elbœuf is an alternate, anglicized spelling) in 1605.

He joined the French royal court in 1607, becoming a playmate to the future King Louis XIII.

He was a loyal servant to the King, of assistance in conflicts with Marie de' Medici, Cardinal Richelieu, and the Huguenots.

The Duke of Longueville, governor of Normandy, and loyal to Queen Marie, led a revolt against the king and established camps at Orival, near Elbeuf.

The king and Richelieu were the main targets of the revolt, and Charles was appointed governor of Normandy.