You're Dead to Me Marie Antoinette: last French queen before the Revolution
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Oct 3, 2025 
Join Professor Katherine Astbury, an expert in Revolutionary France, and comedian Jen Brister for a lively discussion on Marie Antoinette. They delve into her lavish lifestyle, the origins of the infamous "let them eat cake" myth, and her complicated marriage to Louis XVI. The guests explore her role as a cultural patron, her intriguing relationships, and the notorious Diamond Necklace scandal. With sharp humor, they examine how propaganda shaped her reputation and her tragic fate during the Revolution.
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Fashion As Influence And Controversy
- Marie Antoinette's extravagant wardrobe both employed French artisans and sparked accusations of profligacy; her chemise à la reine complicated perceptions.
- Fashion choices made her a cultural leader but also a target for critics who framed them as national betrayal.
Petit Trianon Pastoral Escapes
- At the Petit Trianon Marie Antoinette staged private pastoral plays and created a stylised farm, which critics twisted into claims she cosplayed as a peasant.
- The isolation of that private space made it fertile ground for damaging rumours.
The Necklace Scandal Misplaced Blame
- The 1785 Diamond Necklace Affair falsely tied Marie Antoinette to extravagant purchases and magnified public distrust despite her refusal of the jewels.
- Conspiracy and forgery shifted blame onto the queen and worsened her image.
