How much influence did Marie Antoinette REALLY have politically?

It depends on the situation but overall, not that much. Most of her influence was for ‘personal’ matters, at least before 1789. If she asked the king to pay her debts, he usually would, or if she asked him for money or a position for a friend, he usually would. (though that could be seen as political, depending on who wanted a position and who they were supplanting in the process). Although Louis XVI was inclined to listen to Marie Antoinette discuss political issues as she did sometimes (particularly at the prompting of her mother, during moments of crisis or during/after 1789 when Marie Antoinette began to interest herself more in politics) her role as a queen consort in France was not a political one. That doesn’t mean she didn’t have any political influence nor that none of her actions were political (such as her influence in the dismissal of Turgot) but her role as in politics as queen has been greatly exaggerated, usually in conjunction with an exaggeration of the ‘haplessness’ of Louis XVI in order to claim that Marie Antoinette was the real power behind the throne.

Anonymous asked you:
did MA and the duchess of Devonshire met when the latter visited Paris?

I’ve read that they met when Georgiana visited Paris, but I’ve been unable to find any real details about their relationship, other than Marie Antoinette sent Georgiana one of her muslin chemise gowns and that the two exchanged letters. I’m actually surprised/frustrated at the lack of detail I’ve been able to find about the two of them… anyone have anymore info?

Anonymous asked you:
Maria Carolina had interest in saving MT,Louis and Elisabeth,why didnt she did so?Why she could not save them,and most important,why she failed to help her sister?

While Maria Carolina may have wanted to save her sister and her family, it’s just not a matter of having a desire to save them—it would mean having to wage and win a full-out war against France in order to invade Paris, which would not only be a massive endeavor but dangerous both for her and for MA & the family as well.

Anonymous asked you:
Can you explain Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI’s relationship a bit? Did they ever grow to love each other? Do you think Marie Antoinette had the affair with Fersen? If so, do you think Louis knew about it?

At first their relationship was (as my friend put it) “politely awkward.” This was likely due to a combination of Louis’ shy nature and his ‘instruction’ by family members and his tutor against the Austrian alliance and, in effect, against his new wife. Eventually, as reported both by Ambassador Mercy and Marie Antoinette herself, their relationship began to warm up and grow more intimate… not necessarily sexually for several years, but more friendly, warm and caring. I believe that over time„ especially after they had children together, they grew much closer to each other and yes, were in love. Probably not the type of passionate, sweeping love that most people think about today because of the nature of their marriage but a sort of mutual love and caring for one another that comes from living with someone and sharing your life with them.

No, I don’t believe Marie Antoinette had a physical affair with Fersen. It’s possible that she had romantic feelings for him but there isn’t enough solid evidence to suggest a physical affair.

Anonymous asked you:
In the morning did Marie choose her clothes, or were they picked out for her? ty.

As queen, she used her wardrobe book to pick out what she wanted to wear, although certain dresses (such as court gowns) were required for certain occasions and places.

Anonymous asked you:
Do you the step by step ritual from when she got up until she was finished dressing was? If so would you be able to give a short step by step of what is was. Thanks!

This is Marie Antoinette’s morning schedule in 1770, as given by MA to her mother: “I get up at 10 or at nine or at nine thirty, and that, having been dressed, I say my morning prayers and then I breakfast and go to my aunts, where I usually find the King. That goes on until ten-thirty; after that, at eleven, I have my hair dressed. At twelve they call in the chamber, and then anyone can come in as long as they belong to the Court. I put on my rouge and wash my hands in front of everyone; then the men leave and the ladies stay and I dress in front of them.”

I’m not sure of the ‘step by step’ but in the morning, her first ‘dressing’ wold have probably been into a casual gown (not into court wear) and then later, she would have her hair and make-up done, and then be ceremonially put into her dress for court. Likely, it would have gone in order of necessity… washing hands, chemise, panniers, etc etc.

Anonymous asked you:
What time did Marie Antoinette get up in the morning, and go to bed?

It depends. At first, she seems to have gone to sleep around 9 to 11 and then woken up at 9 or 10 in the morning. Even during her first year as Queen, Mercy reported a regular schedule—getting up at 9 or 10, that is. However, as her partying began to get out of control, Mercy notes that there were days when she didn’t go to bed until well after midnight… sometimes at 3 or 4 in the morning, causing Louis XVI to sleep in his own bed to avoid being woken in the middle of the night.

Anonymous asked you:
how come portraits from back then look so different from what they look like now?

I’m not sure what you mean, sorry! Could you clarify?