What happened to Marie Antoinette’s son, the Dauphin Louis XVII, remains one of the most mysterious and tragic stories of the French Revolution. Born on March 27, 1785, the young prince was the heir to the French throne and the son of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI. However, his life was fraught with peril, and his fate became a symbol of the turmoil and chaos that characterized the period.
The Dauphin’s early years were relatively peaceful, as he lived in the royal palace of Versailles. However, as the revolution gained momentum, his life took a dark turn. In 1791, the royal family was forced to flee Paris and seek refuge in the rural estate of Varennes. During this escape, the Dauphin was separated from his parents and siblings, and he was eventually captured by revolutionaries.
After the royal family’s return to Paris, the Dauphin was held in the Temple prison, a place known for its harsh conditions. Despite the difficult circumstances, he remained a popular figure among the French people, who were still loyal to the monarchy. However, as the revolution intensified, the fate of the Dauphin became increasingly uncertain.
In June 1791, the Dauphin was transferred to the Conciergerie, a former royal palace that had been converted into a prison. There, he was placed under close guard and subjected to constant questioning by revolutionaries. Despite the harsh treatment, the young prince managed to maintain his dignity and composure.
On June 21, 1793, the Dauphin was found dead in his cell. The circumstances of his death remain a subject of debate and speculation. Some historians believe that he was poisoned, while others suggest that he may have been killed by a guard or revolutionary. Regardless of the cause, the death of the Dauphin was a devastating blow to the remnants of the French monarchy.
The mystery of the Dauphin’s death has captivated historians and the public for over two centuries. His remains were initially buried in an unmarked grave, but in 1855, they were exhumed and reinterred in the Basilica of St. Denis, the royal necropolis of France. The young prince’s life and death continue to be a poignant reminder of the tumultuous times that defined the late 18th century and the enduring power of the monarchy in the French imagination.
