Legacy Podcast: Marie Antoinette | Queen of Scandal | Episode 2 Summary
Hosted by Afua Hirsch and Peter Frankopan
Introduction
In the second episode of Legacy’s series on Marie Antoinette, titled "Queen of Scandal," hosts Afua Hirsch and Peter Frankopan delve deeper into the tumultuous life of one of history's most scrutinized queens. Building upon the foundation laid in the previous episode, this installment explores Marie Antoinette's early reign, her influence on fashion, the mounting financial crises in France, personal struggles within her marriage, and the infamous diamond necklace scandal that significantly tarnished her reputation.
Coronation and Early Challenges
The episode opens with Marie Antoinette and her husband, Louis XVI, ascending to the French throne amidst a nation rife with discontent and economic instability. Peter Frankopan sets the scene:
"Louis XVI is crowned King of France on June 11, 1774, and much of the attention is on his beautiful young wife. But she's so overwhelmed by the occasion, she ends up having a timeout. Can you imagine that, Afwa, if you were being crowned, that you need to have a quiet moment on your own to take it all in?" (01:51)
Afua Hirsch admires Marie Antoinette's emotional connection to the grandeur of her coronation:
"So to be that focused and involved that you actually get carried away with the emotion really shows that she's connecting on an emotional level with what's happening here." (02:12)
However, the young queen faces immense pressure to produce an heir. Four years into their marriage, Marie Antoinette and Louis have yet to consummate their union, placing the young queen under intense scrutiny and societal pressure.
Marie Antoinette's Fashion and Influence
Marie Antoinette's penchant for extravagant fashion is a significant focus of the episode. Afua Hirsch draws parallels between the queen and modern-day influencers:
"This is where she feels quite contemporary, actually, as an influencer or one of these privileged women who uses her wealth to really set trends in fashion and build huge followings." (05:22)
Her collaboration with Rose Bertin, the first renowned French fashion designer, led to the creation of opulent gowns adorned with ribbons, silk, and jewels. Marie Antoinette's dedication to fashion was exemplified by her rule to never wear the same dress twice and her astonishing claim of having around 300 dresses a year.
In 1781, seeking a shift from her flamboyant style, Marie Antoinette and Bertin introduced simpler muslin dresses. This move initially caused uproar, impacting the already fragile silk industry and signaling a broader shift towards cotton muslin in European fashion. Afua highlights the global implications:
"It's always important to locate Marie Antoinette in this global world, because the things that she did that may have just pleased her aesthetically or spoken to her sense of style had the power to shift tastes across Europe. And shifting tastes across Europe had real consequences for enslaved people, for indigenous people, for the global economy." (07:00)
Financial Extravagance and Public Perception
Despite France’s dire financial situation, Marie Antoinette’s extravagant spending continued unabated. Afua Hirsch details the scale of her expenditures:
"In 1776, her dress allowance is about 150,000 livres, which is about £2 million today. And just to put that into perspective, an average tradesman in Paris pays an annual rent of 300 livres." (09:35)
Her lavish lifestyle included purchasing diamond bracelets worth 400,000 livres (~£7 million) and maintaining a sprawling household of 500 staff members, costing approximately 4 million livres. This opulence starkly contrasted with the struggles of ordinary French citizens, further eroding public support.
Marriage Struggles and Rumors
The episode delves into the complexities of Marie Antoinette's marriage to Louis XVI. Despite seven years of marriage, their relationship remained largely unconsummated, leading to personal and political tensions. Afua recounts a poignant scene where Marie Antoinette's brother, Joseph, confronts her about their marital issues:
"Do you sincerely respond to the affection the king shows you? Do you look for opportunities?" (19:52)
Marie Antoinette's burgeoning friendship with Count Fersen, a handsome Swedish noble, fuels rumors of an affair. Afua defends the potential relationship:
"I'm Team Fersen. He was hot. ... And it's not healthy to go through your whole life without experiencing intimacy or rewarding sexual encounters." (22:22)
These personal struggles are compounded by relentless gossip and scandalous pamphlets depicting Marie Antoinette as manipulative, frivolous, and morally corrupt.
The Diamond Necklace Scandal
One of the most damaging events in Marie Antoinette's life was the diamond necklace scandal. Afua narrates the intricate plot:
"A con woman, Jeanne Lamothe, dresses up as the queen and deceives Cardinal Rohan into purchasing an extravagant necklace on behalf of the queen. The necklace, valued at 2 million livres (~£25 million), is never paid for, leading to a public scandal." (32:28)
This event severely tarnished Marie Antoinette's reputation, painting her as a profligate spender who exploited the nation's finances. Despite her transparency and lack of direct involvement, the scandal fueled public outrage and solidified her image as "Madame Deficit."
Decline in Popularity and Rising Crisis
As economic hardships intensified, Marie Antoinette's popularity plummeted. Peter observes:
"Temperatures are reaching boiling point and the country's problems are getting worse and worse." (37:42)
The king's inability to address the financial crisis, compounded by the nobility's resistance to tax reforms, deepened the national discontent. Marie Antoinette's engagements, such as her time at Petit Trianon, were seen as further evidence of her detachment from the plight of the common people.
Personal Tragedies and Prelude to Revolution
The final segment of the episode recounts the personal losses Marie Antoinette endured, including the death of her mother, Maria Theresa, and the tragic deaths of her children. These personal tragedies occurred against the backdrop of escalating political unrest, culminating in the French Revolution.
Peter highlights the culmination of these events:
"As the revolution is little more than a month away, her descent into the personal hell of her final years on earth has begun." (40:58)
Marie Antoinette's inability to effectively quell the growing unrest and her association with extravagance made her a symbol of the monarchy's failures, setting the stage for the impending revolution.
Conclusion
Episode 2 of Legacy's Marie Antoinette series offers a comprehensive look into the queen's life, highlighting how her personal choices, public perceptions, and the broader socio-economic context of France interplayed to shape her legacy. Through insightful discussions and dramatizations, Afua Hirsch and Peter Frankopan paint a nuanced portrait of a woman caught between her desires and the tumultuous tides of history.
Notable Quotes
- "It's always important to locate Marie Antoinette in this global world..." – Afua Hirsch (07:00)
- "I'm Team Fersen. He was hot." – Afua Hirsch (22:22)
- "Madame Deficit." – Reference to public nickname stemming from the diamond necklace scandal
Further Listening
To explore more about Marie Antoinette's life and legacy, listen to subsequent episodes of Legacy on the Wondery App or your preferred podcast platform.