Katie's Corner

As my readers may know, I am an avid reader of history and studying European monarchies. Today marks a pinnacle event that has touched my heart for years. On this day, October 16, 1793, Queen Marie Antoinette of France was guillotined by French Revolutionaries. Her life has been one of intrigue, mystery, and a reputation in shreds. Many could read this and think, "she was just a Queen who died". That may be true, but her life was more than what a royal stereotype defines. For me, I have felt a connection to her life for a long time. I first read of Marie Antoinette at the age of twelve while studying royal queens. While reading, I will never forget seeing her portrait and the "scandals" of her life; alongside the debunked phrase "let them eat cake." After years of research through later school projects, I came to find the real Marie Antoinette: a woman who was steadfast in faith, charitable to her people and loved her husband and children. "Marie Ant...

In honor of the last day in February, here is a short story of the love story between King Louis and Queen Marie Antoinette of France. Although this pair started off as two foreigners to each other, their bond would hold them together in the most grievous hour. Let us take a moment and learn of this royal love.              King Louis XVI by Joesph Duplessis and Queen Marie Antoinette by Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun. On May 16, 1770, Dauphin Louis of France married  Archduchess Maria Antonia Josepha Joanna (Marie Antoinette) in the Royal Chapel of Versailles. On their wedding night, the adolescents went to bed together, yet their marriage was not consummated. It is reported that either the Louis and Antoinette did not know what to do, or decided to remain platonic spouses as they grew to personally know each other. For the next years, the pair learned their likes and dislikes as they were young adults in a foreign relationship. In 1774, Lou...