Queen Marie Antoinette was not the only ruler of France who was condemned to death by her own people. However, she was one of the few noble ladies who managed to fully maintain equanimity and royal greatness.
The mother of Marie Antoinette, Marie Theresa, was a very strong and wise woman. She managed to take care of both her people and her children, providing each daughter with an excellent marriage. Of course, the most delicious morsel went to Marie Antoinette: she was prepared as a wife to Louis, who inherited the French throne. Knowing that the daughter will become the queen, Maria Theresa tried to instill in her the skills of managing the state. The girl was taught not only the sciences, but also the art of captivating people, achieving their goals through diplomatic methods.
The future mistress of France was a universal darling and did not know any refusal. This spoiled her character: accustomed to having fun and demanding that everyone fulfill any whim, Marie Antoinette was not ready for the wise government of the state. She was married at 15, but Louis at that time was only an heir, but not a king. The wedding, alas, entailed a terrible tragedy. In honor of a significant event in Paris, a feast was organized for everyone. This feast caused such enthusiasm that many citizens died in a crush. Of course, the newlyweds were not blamed for this, but the unpleasant rumors about the young Marie Antoinette and about the misfortune that she brought to her people nevertheless went.
The girl became the queen only 4 years after marriage. By this time, she had already completely transformed the life of French aristocrats. Squandering reigned in the country, bizarrely combined with hunger and poverty: while noble ladies ordered a hundred luxurious outfits a month, ordinary citizens did not know how to feed their children. Each adviser who allowed himself to point out to the royal couple this discrepancy was immediately driven away. To cover his expenses, the king constantly raised taxes, which caused more and more irritation.
And finally, the moment came when the patience of the people burst. Organized riots began. The royal family was imprisoned, and when the king and his wife tried to escape, it was decided to execute them. First, Louis’s head was chopped off, and after a while Marie Antoinette was sentenced to death, although she could not be accused of anything other than excessive waste. The Queen ascended the scaffold herself, and until the very end she managed to maintain an unshakable calm.
