The Queen with her daughter, Madame Royale

The Mystery of the Dark Count: Was Princess Marie Therese Charlotte de Bourbon his companion?

A portrait of Marie Thérèse Charlotte de France, the duchesse d’Angoulême (daughter of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette) by Alexandre-François Caminade, 1827

A Dauphin we asked of our Queen,

A Princess announces him near;

Since one of the Graces is seen

Young Cupid will quickly appear.

A popular rhyme which circulated after the birth of Marie Antoinette’s first child, Marie Therese Charlotte.

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The children of the comte d’Artois (Charles, Sophie and Louis) by Rosalie Filleul, 1781

Recently, Mme la dauphine has once again resumed her custom of playing with children, and unfortunately her premiere femme de chambre has two children, both of whom are very annoying.

Mme la dauphine spends much of her day with these children, who spoil her clothes, tear and break the furniture, and leave her rooms in the greatest disorder.

-Mercy to Maria Theresa, 22 June 1771

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Marie Therese Charlotte of France