In our 1780s Inspiration collection, the styles of the era were defined by the eye of the Queen of France, Marie Antoinette.
She remains a compelling historical figure, surrounded by luxury, controversy, and ultimately, tragedy. Though much has been written about her, a lesser-known yet equally poignant aspect of her story is the friendship she shared with Princess Marie Thérèse Louise de Savoie-Carignan, also known as the Princesse de Lamballe.
The Blossoming Friendship
When Marie Antoinette arrived in France from Austria in 1770 to marry Louis XVI, she was a fourteen-year-old girl thrust into the world of French court politics and life at the lavish but treacherous Palace of Versailles. Among the numerous nobles and courtiers, she found a true friend and confidante in the Princesse de Lamballe. Six years her senior, Marie Thérèse Louise had already been a widow, having lost her husband Louis Alexandre de Bourbon-Penthièvre while she was still a teenager.
The connection between the two women was instantaneous. Marie Antoinette, often feeling isolated and overwhelmed by the rigid protocol of Versailles, found in Princesse de Lamballe a companion who was genuine, loyal, and unpretentious. Their friendship transcended the usual superficial alliances of the court, becoming a source of emotional support for both.
A Dedicated Confidante
Princesse de Lamballe was appointed Superintendent of the Queen’s Household in 1775, a position that cemented her place at Marie Antoinette's side. This role allowed the Princess to oversee the Queen's personal entourage and the events within her private chambers.
The princess unfailingly supported Marie Antoinette, attending to her needs, standing by her in times of scandal, and genuinely cared for her. She was a gentle and compassionate person, attributes that resonated deeply with the Queen, who often felt misunderstood and maligned by the hostile French court and its relentless gossip.
Surviving Court Intrigues
Despite their deep bond, their friendship was not without its challenges. The court was a hotbed of intrigue and rivalry. The frequency of Marie Antoinette's private meetings with Lamballe drew suspicion and envy, particularly from the powerful faction led by Madame du Barry, Louis XV’s last Maîtresse-en-titre. Marie Antoinette, brought up in the religious and conservative Austrian court, was shocked and repulsed that du Barry held a title as first mistress.
Only after pressure from her father-in-law, King Louis XV, did Marie Antoinette acknowledge his mistress. She spoke only one sentence directly to du Barry saying "There are a lot of people at Versailles today".
Once Louis XV passed and her husband became King, du Barry was banished from Versailles.
Although Lamballe was sometimes seen as a rival to other courtiers who sought the Queen’s favor, her loyalty and discreet nature often helped her to deftly avoid confrontations and maintain her position close to Marie Antoinette.
From Opulence to Ugliness
As external events accelerated towards revolution, Marie Antoinette’s already tenuous position in French society continued to decline. By the late 1780s, public sentiment turned explosively against the monarchy, and Marie Antoinette became a focal point for revolutionary resentment, often unfairly blamed for the country’s financial and social ailments. The same firestorm that consumed the monarchy also risked swallowing up anyone associated closely with it.
During the early stages of the revolution, Princesse de Lamballe remained by her friend’s side, proving her loyalty was unwavering even in dangerous times. However, as conditions worsened, many nobles fled France. Amidst raging conflict, increasing hostility, and subsequent imprisonment at the Tuileries in 1792, Lamballe refused to abandon Marie Antoinette.
A Tragic End
In August 1792, the royal family was moved to the Temple prison. Though the Princess initially followed, she was separated from Marie Antoinette and imprisoned under dire circumstances. The September Massacres, a brutal series of attacks on prisoners held by the French revolutionaries, were particularly horrific. On September 3, 1792, the Princesse de Lamballe was subjected to a terrible fate. She was dragged into the streets, sentenced by a rigged impromptu trial, and brutally murdered by the angry mob and decapitated. Her head put on a spike and paraded in front of Marie Antoinette's prison. Marie Antoinette passed out upon hearing of her friend's fate and did not have to witness the gruesome sight.
Legacy of Devotion
The tragic deaths of Marie Antoinette and her close friends like Princesse de Lamballe encapsulate the terror and chaos of the revolutionary period. Yet within this maelstrom, their enduring friendship stands as a poignant and humanizing element, a light against the backdrop of an era marked by unimaginable strife and cruelty.
The story of Marie Antoinette and Princesse de Lamballe is one that underscores the strength of true friendship and loyalty during a dark period in history. Remembering their bond provides a valuable perspective on the personal sacrifices entangled in grand historical narratives.