She then became the Dauphine of France. As queen, Marie Antoinette became increasingly a target of criticism by opponents of the domestic and foreign policies of Louis XVI, and those opposed to the monarchy in general. The French libelles accused her of being profligate, [ 2 ] promiscuous, having illegitimate children, and harboring sympathies for France's perceived enemies, including her native Austria. She was falsely accused of defrauding the Crown's jewelers in the Affair of the Diamond Necklace , but the accusations damaged her reputation further.
Several events were linked to Marie Antoinette during the Revolution after the government placed the royal family under house arrest in the Tuileries Palace in October The June attempted flight to Varennes and her role in the War of the First Coalition were immensely damaging to her image among French citizens. On 10 August , the attack on the Tuileries forced the royal family to take refuge at the Assembly , and they were imprisoned in the Temple Prison on 13 August On 21 September , France was declared a republic and the monarchy was abolished.
Louis XVI was executed by guillotine on 21 January During the birth of her last daughter, serious complications arose, and doctors even feared for the life of the mother.
Maria Antonia was born on All Souls' Day , a Catholic day of mourning, and during her childhood her birthday was instead celebrated the day before, on All Saints' Day , due to the connotations of the date.
Shortly after her birth she was placed under the care of the governess of the imperial children, Countess von Brandeis. She learned to play the harp , [ 12 ] the harpsichord and the flute.
