Marie Antoinette as “The Widow Capet.” After the death of Louis, Marie Antoinette went into a deep depression. Cruely, she was separated from her son on July 3, 1793. This caused her even more grief. She refused to eat and soon became very ill with tuberculosis and an illness which caused her to menstruate continuously […]
Category: Life of Marie Antoinette
Life as Queen Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette in her coronation robes Louis XVI was crowned at Notre Dame de Reims on July 11, 1775. Marie Antoinette accompanied her husband, but was not crowned with him. Despite the fact that Marie Antoinette was queen, she had little political power. Most of those in power were very anti-Austrian. Even her husband had […]
Marie Antoinette’s Retreats
The Petit Trianon The Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette’s “little” house in the gardens of Versailles was originally built for Madame de Pompadour, mistress of Louis XV between 1762-68. In 1774, Louis XVI gave the house to Marie Antoinette. She spent a great deal of money redesigning the house to suit her tastes (a beautiful blend […]
Marie Antoinette’s Childhood
Marie Antoinette was born Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna on November 2, 1755. She was the 15th child (and the 10th daughter) of Empress Maria-Theresa of Austria and Francois I, Holy Roman Emperor. The Hofburg Palace, Vienna She was born at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. Marie Antoinette was raised with her elder sister, Maria Carolina. […]
Marie Antoinette’s Revolution and Imprisonment
Diamond Necklace from the “Affair of the Necklace” While Marie Antoinette spent large sums of money on her private retreats, France was facing a financial crisis due to debts accumulated during war times. This led to the reestablishment of the Assembly of Notables in 1787 in an attempt to pass financial reforms. The Assembly, however, […]
Marie Antoinette’s Family Life
Marie Therese, Madame Royale On Dec. 17, 1778, Marie Antoinette gave birth to her first child. Unfortunately, the child was a girl and not a son and heir. However, the little Princess was given the title Madame Royale and name Marie Therese Charlotte, after Marie Antoinette’s mother. The labor was long and painful for the […]
Dauphine
Marie Antoinette about the time of her marriage The wedding of the Louis and Marie Antoinette took place on May 16, 1770, in the Palace of Versailles. Following the wedding was a great feast. A fireworks display had been arranged, but did not take place due to bad weather. After the feasting was done, the […]