Private Struggles, Public Scrutiny

By 1774, Marie Antoinette had been married for four years without producing an heir. The situation was becoming critical. Her brothers-in-law had both fathered children, increasing pressure and speculation. The queen's monthly cycles were matters of state discussion, with courtiers analyzing every sign of potential pregnancy.

The private correspondence between Marie Antoinette and her mother during this period reveals the depth of her distress. She reported trying every remedy suggested—special diets, pilgrimages to shrines, consultation with healers. Maria Theresa's responses grew increasingly desperate, mixing sympathy with harsh reminders of duty. The empress even suggested that Marie Antoinette was somehow to blame for not making herself attractive enough to her husband.

Within the royal household, the situation created a peculiar dynamic. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette developed a genuine companionship despite their physical problems. They shared meals privately, rode together, and collaborated on charitable projects. Courtiers noted their obvious affection, making the lack of children even more puzzling to observers.

The public response to the royal childlessness took increasingly ugly forms. Pornographic pamphlets depicting the queen in various sexual scenarios began circulating in Paris. These libelles accused her of everything from lesbianism to bestiality, often with barely disguised political messages about Austrian influence. The police tried to suppress them, but new ones appeared faster than they could be confiscated.

Marie Antoinette's response to this crisis revealed both her strengths and weaknesses. She maintained public composure, never acknowledging the rumors directly. She increased her charitable activities, perhaps hoping good works would counter negative propaganda. But she also retreated further into her private circle, spending more money on entertainment and gifts for friends—actions that only fueled criticism.