Queen Marie Antoinette

[erzsi]

@ countess kate and eric loew well thanks for the info and link, the book is very interesting

[Ortino]

Charlotte ? You mean Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples right ? Yes, shewas the closest. But she also written a last letter to Maria Amalia, Duchess of Parma. I don't think she like Mimi much, but still the Mesdames or Marie Therese did met this sister...

Yes, I meant Maria Carolina. It's certainly possible that she also wrote to Maria Amalia--she was not considerably older than Marie Antoinette.

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes...the letter wasin the Italian book but reproduced in French. I think Madame Campan delivered the letter to her. "Mimi" (Maria Christine) was not afavourite of the French Queen, due to her sour humour and sharp tongue.

[Mari]

I cannot find the source... when the last  letter was delivered to Marie Christine right now I just remember something about She said "Oh God then all is lost." The other Sister Maria Carolina grieved and 

The Queen and her husband were horrified, and Maria Carolina used her uxorious husband to bring the Neopolitan and Sicilian armies into the First Coalition against France. Peace was made in 1796.

Some of the last letters written by Marie Antoinette were to her Brother-in-laws. Jarjayes was to deliver these and small notes written on them from the Children. Interesting to me were the notes written to Jarjayes and transcriptions of others on page 132 on of the above link  provided "Conspiracy Under the Terror." ( my post on June 27)

On page five there is also an interesting description of Marie Antoinette by Senac de Meilhan "Marie Antoinette of Austria was striking rather than beautiful. None of her features taken apart were particularly good, but their Ensemble was extremely pleasing. The word "Charms" which is often used, was the real one to describe her graceful face. There was not a Woman who could hold her head as she did, it was poised on her shoulders so as to give grace and dignity to every one of its movements."

[Mari]

Under the thread  Maria Amalia Duchess of Parma page 2... I found this.....

http://forum.alexanderpalace.org/index.php?topic=4920.15

This was posted: 

Caroline, Amalie and Antoinette exchanged not only correspondence , but suntuous gifts, such as dressess, portraits, artists ... I don't know who was more close to each other and if there were some differences. I know, however that 1793 marked absolutely the queen of Naples and the duchess of Parma. they both would hate France until their last days and did, politically and personally in consequence.

[Eddie_uk]

Marie Thérèse wrote to her aunt Marie Carolina that her mother often spoke of her loved her more than any of her sisters.

It would be so interesting to read more of there correspondence. Apparently one of Marie Antoinettes last letters during her imprisonment was to Marie Amalia.

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes...I wonder if the corresponmces have survived (especially of Maria Amalia, whom we knew so little). The letters between the sisters would have made a good book. 

[Mari]

In "Marie Antoinette".... title continues on... published in 1903 by Brunier he quotes from letters between Marie Antoinette and Marie Christine although the Reviewer maintains there was none. 
from: American Historical Review
http://books.google.com/books?id=FpcLAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA3-PA803&lpg=RA3-PA803&dq=published+letter+of+marie+antoinette+to+her+sister&source=web&ots=HcULYbTsIF&sig=tCqEoZlYa_lPwlen0Bdb47koLxQ&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PRA3-PA803,M1


Madame Campan talks about the Queen of France receiving correspondence from the Queen of Naples. There is an interesting story concerning the Court of Spain and the affronts that Maria Carolina is receiving.

http://books.google.com/books?id=J9IQXVXdei0C&pg=PA151&vq=Queen+of+Naples&dq=+last+letter+given+to+Maria+amalia+from+marie+antoinette&source=gbs_search_s&sig=ACfU3U2ckFLJ1pHLGkOlHdqvPbhHX7YJRg#PPA151,M1

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes I heard both sisters recieved letter from the French Queen...

[trentk80]

Thanks for the links, Mari. They're very interesting.

Marie Thérèse wrote to her aunt Marie Carolina that her mother often spoke of her loved her more than any of her sisters.

I remember reading that, after Marie Antoinette's death, Maria Carolina wrote that she considered her duty to take care of Marie Therese and raise her as one of her own daughters.

Yes...I wonder if the corresponmces have survived (especially of Maria Amalia, whom we knew so little). The letters between the sisters would have made a good book. 

There are several letters by Maria Carolina and Maria Amalia which haven't been published yet unfortunately. I still don't understand why there isn't a good biography of Maria Carolina, since she was one of the most fascinating personalities of her era.

[Eddie_uk]

I completely agree Trent! Even the Lonely Planet guide to Naples has an article on Marie Carolina!!!!

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes...Maria Carolina badly needed an English bio. I tried to search for the Mrs.Bearne one but cannot find a copy...

Indeed...I wonder where those letters are. I would love to research another article about those sisters...

[StevenL]

I tried to search for the Mrs.Bearne one but cannot find a copy...

Eric, I have it and it's a great old book. Also contains an interesting bio of the Queen of Etruria, among others. There is a copy for sale on the net. I will send you a link to the book dealer via pm.

Steven

[Mari]

What is the exact title of the Book please that is by Mrs. Bearne? I would love to read it also! 

[Eric_Lowe]

Actually it was the wrong book. The right one should be : A Sister To Marie Antoinette: The Story of Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples by Mrs. Bearne. Hard to fine book...