Random Facts That Prove Marie Antoinette Remains An Extremely Controversial Figure (13 items)

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  (#5) The Love Of Her Life Was A Dashing Swedish Officer

  Though her relationship with her husband worked for both of them, it did not give her romantic fulfillment. For that she turned to a dashing, young Swedish officer. Hans Axel von Fersen first met Marie Antoinette at a masquerade at Versailles in 1774, when they were both 19 years old and von Fersen was in the midst of a Grand Tour across Europe. But their relationship did not begin in earnest until a few years later, when the Swedish nobleman returned to France. Their close friendship ignited rumors, and von Fersen escaped to America to fight with French forces to spare the queen a scandal. 

  By the time von Fersen returned to Versailles in 1783, their attraction had only grown. Though historians remain divided on the nature of their relationship - was it platonic love or a sexual affair? - it is widely accepted that Marie Antoinette and von Fersen had strong affection for one another that may have been romantic love.

  Whether or not Marie Antoinette and von Fersen engaged in a passionate affair, he remained loyal to her until the end. He helped Marie Antoinette’s family in their unsuccessful attempt to escape France in 1791 and even mortgaged his estates to pay for the carriages that were meant to take the royal family to safety.

  Though von Fersen survived the revolution, he returned to Sweden and never married. Like Marie Antoinette, he had a violent end: a Swedish mob murdered him in 1810.
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  (#8) She Was A Bit Of A Tomboy

  Marie Antoinette had a fortunate childhood in royal terms: she grew up virtually free many of the restraints from court life and was known to be a rambunctious, active child. In fact, she was something of a tomboy and was energetic and intelligent. Marie Antoinette preferred activity and socialization to solitary study, a trait she brought to France with her. After she came to the French court, she made it clear to the current King Louis XV - and new grandfather-in-law - she wanted to join him on his famous hunts. She began a passion for hunting and horseback-riding, and even shocked the court by riding a horse astride while wearing breeches. 
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  (#7) She Was Born In Austria To One Of The Most Powerful Women In Europe

  Though she died a queen of France, Marie Antoinette was actually born an archduchess in Austria on November 2, 1755. Her mother was Empress Maria Theresa, hereditary head of the Holy Roman Empire. Maria Theresa was a legend and one of the most powerful women in Europe - she was the formidable leader who defended her inheritance against those who doubted the fitness of a woman to rule the Habsburg Empire.

  Marie Antoinette spent the majority of her life away from the Austrian court, but she maintained a correspondence with her mother, exchanging letters with her about every two weeks. Like her mother, Marie Antoinette would be put in a place where the legitimacy of her position would be questioned. And like her mother, she would demonstrate strength of character and will in a moment when it mattered most.
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  (#2) She Was A Virgin Until She Was 21

  Though Louis was kind to Marie Antoinette, their relationship stalled from the start - the royal couple did not immediately consummate their marriage. It took years of coaxing by both Marie Antoinette and her family. Maria Theresa counseled her daughter in letters from Austria and she even sent her son and heir Joseph II to France to give Louis a pep-talk into finally bedding his wife. In total, it took the couple seven years to consummate the marriage.
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  (#12) She Attempted To Escape Paris During The Revolution

  As the French Revolution progressed, Marie Antoinette convinced her husband the best option for the royal family was to escape their imprisonment at the Palace of the Tuilieries and flee to the countryside in Montmédy where they could find safety with royalist troops. Von Fersen himself oversaw the details of the 200-mile escape in June 1791: the royal family would pose as a Russian noble family, with the king and queen playing roles of valet and governess. The family was ultimately discovered in Varennes and unceremoniously sent back to Paris.
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  (#3) The Revolutionary Tribunal Accused Her Of Incest

  As the French Revolution became more radical and rejected the possibility of a constitutional monarchy, Louis XVI and his wife were put on trial by a revolutionary tribunal. Louis was the first to be guillotined - he was executed in January 1793, only days after his sentencing.

  Marie Antoinette’s trial happened six months later. The 32-hour trial was draining and humiliating for the ill queen, especially when prosecutors accused her of incest with her young son. Mustering up every ounce of dignity she had, the widowed former queen delivered a reply that shamed the courtroom into silence: “Nature refuses to answer such a charge brought against a mother. I appeal in this matter to all the mothers present in court.”

  Her appeal may have restored her honor, but it did not save her life - she was sentenced to death, just as her husband had been.

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