How many children did Marie Antoinette have with Louis XVI?
Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France before the French Revolution, had a total of eight children with her husband, King Louis XVI. Born on November 2, 1755, in Vienna, Austria, Marie Antoinette was brought up in a royal household and married to Louis XVI when she was just 14 years old. Their marriage was initially political, as it was intended to strengthen the alliance between France and Austria. Despite the early age at which they were wed, Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI had a strong, loving relationship, and they produced a large family over the course of their marriage.
The children of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI were as follows:
1. Marie-Thérèse-Charlotte (1778-1851): The eldest child and only daughter of the couple, she married Prince Ferdinand of Bavaria and later became Empress consort of Austria. She was known for her intelligence and was a patron of the arts.
2. Louis XVIII (1775-1824): The heir apparent, Louis XVIII was destined to become king of France. However, his reign was short-lived, as he died in 1824 and was succeeded by his brother Charles X.
3. Louis XIX (1778-1785): The second son of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, Louis XIX was born prematurely and lived only for a few months. He was the first child to die in the line of succession to the French throne.
4. Charles X (1778-1836): The third son of the couple, Charles X was the brother of Louis XVIII. He became king of France after Louis XVIII’s death and faced the turmoil of the July Revolution in 1830, which led to his abdication.
5. Louis XVIII (1781-1785): The fourth son of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, this Louis XVIII was the brother of the heir apparent. He also died prematurely, at the age of four.
6. Sophie (1786-1787): The sixth child of the couple, Sophie was born prematurely and lived only for a few months.
7. Louis XVI (1785-1795): The second heir apparent, this Louis XVI was born prematurely and died soon after. He was the son of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, and his death left the throne to his brother Charles X.
8. Adélaïde (1788-1795): The youngest child of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, Adélaïde was born prematurely and died at the age of seven. Her death was a significant loss for the couple, as they had already lost three other children.
Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI’s large family was a source of both joy and sorrow for the couple. While their children brought them much happiness, the frequent deaths of their offspring were a constant reminder of the fragility of life. Despite the many challenges they faced, Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI remained devoted to each other and to their children, providing them with a loving and nurturing environment.
