Kdo chodil s Marie Antoinetta?

Marie Antonie Josefa Johana Habsbursko-Lotrinská (2. listopadu 1755 Vídeň – 16. října 1793 Paříž) byla rozená císařská a královská princezna, jíž náležel titul rakouské arcivévodkyně. V letech 1774 až 1793 byla jako manželka krále Ludvíka XVI. královnou francouzskou a navarrskou.

Marie Antonie byla dcerou habsburské panovnice Marie Terezie a císaře Františka Štěpána I. Ve čtrnácti letech byla poslána na francouzský královský dvůr, aby tam spojila svůj život se životem budoucího krále Ludvíka XVI. Jako královna, jíž se stala v necelých dvaceti letech, vedla poněkud rozmařilý život. V roce 1789 došla hladovému lidu trpělivost, krále s královnou svrhl a po jejich nezdařeném útěku, ve kterém figuroval její dlouholetý milenec Axel Fersen, byla uvězněna v Templu. Byla popravena devět měsíců po svém manželovi, její život v říjnu 1793 na dnešním Náměstí svornosti ukončila gilotina. Cesta královny na popraviště ve vozíku pro odsouzené je zachycena na autentické skice od J. L. Davida.

Hans Axel von Fersen (Swedish: [hɑːns ˈǎksɛl fɔn ˈfæ̌ʂːɛn]; 4 September 1755 – 20 June 1810), also known as Axel von Fersen the Younger and as Axel de Fersen in France, was a Swedish count, military officer, courtier, ambassador, Marshal and Lord of the Realm. He gained international renown for his close association with Queen Marie Antoinette of France and his prominent involvement in the French Revolution.

Born into one of Sweden’s wealthiest and most influential noble families, von Fersen was raised in an environment shaped by French culture and courtly traditions. He received a thorough military education, travelled extensively throughout Europe, and served as an aide-de-camp in the French Army during the American Revolutionary War. He is most widely remembered for his close and often debated relationship with Marie Antoinette, which some historians believe developed into a romantic affair. Von Fersen became a trusted confidant of the French royal family and played a pivotal role in organizing and executing their ill-fated flight to Varennes in June 1791.

Following the outbreak of the French Revolution and the execution of the royal family, von Fersen continued to act as a diplomat on behalf of Kings Gustav III and Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden, working to preserve ties with the French monarchy and support its restoration. Returning to Sweden in the 1790s, he held several high-ranking positions, including Marshal of the Realm and Chancellor of Uppsala University. His life came to a violent end in June 1810, when he was killed by a lynch mob in Stockholm amid false rumors implicating him in the sudden death of Charles August, Crown Prince of Sweden. Subsequent investigations cleared him of all suspicion, and he was buried with honor. Von Fersen’s life—particularly his ties to Marie Antoinette—has been widely portrayed in historical and fictional works, including films, television series, and stage productions.