MARIE-ANTOINETTE ATTAINS GRANDEUR

HER ROUTE TO THE GUILLOTINE WAS MEANT TO HUMILIATE

The king went to the scaffold by coach... 

L'Exécution du roi Louis XVI, YouTube / zoom

But the queen was taken in an open cart for hauling garbage, as were prostitutes, criminals and opponents. But at least they were exhibited and jeered together... 

     Transport de prostituées by Etienne Jeurat, 1757 / zoom

Poster of an exhibit at the National Archives

The Last Cartload, anonymous / work sold on eBay

Whereas Marie-Antoinette was alone.

She ignored the crowd and sat in the cart with as much dignity as on a throne.

Marie-Antoinette conduite à l'échafaud ("M-A on her Way to Execution") by J-L. David, sketch from a window / zoom

On the scaffold she stumbled and bumped into the executioner. 

Her last words: "Please excuse me, Monsieur le Bourreau."*

*"Bourreau:" executioner. 

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Her execution is seared into the national story:

During the ceremony that opened the Olympic games in Paris

It may be history's most well-known execution.

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Next,

Louis XVII, a story that has no end