3 Chapter 2 A Royal Wedding

Chapter 2 A Royal Wedding The official ceremonies for the marriage began in Vienna on April 15, 1770. The French ambassador arrived. He represented the French royal family, who had stayed back in their palace in Versailles. Over the next few days, the Austrian imperial family held feasts and balls for their daughter. They held a ceremony to represent and celebrate the upcoming marriage, even though Louis Auguste was still in France. Antonia was now called by the French version of her name— Marie Antoinette.

On April 21, in the chilly morning, Marie Antoinette stepped into her golden carriage. Her mother said good-bye: "Farewell, my dearest child, a great distance will separate us.... Do so much good to the French people that they can say that I have sent them an angel." The long procession of fifty-seven coaches journeyed across central Europe from Austria to the city of Strasbourg, France. It took more than two weeks, with about eight hours of travel each day. Her attendants tried to make sure Marie

Antoinette was comfortable. She spent her evenings in monasteries, where priests called monks lived, and also at palaces. Her hosts arranged concerts and performances. Townspeople scrambled to see her. The dauphine (future queen) was exhausted from traveling, but she had to act bright and happy for her admirers. The procession finally arrived at the Rhine River on the border between the lands of Austria and France. Tearfully, Marie Antoinette said goodbye to her fellow travelers. She entered the Austrian side of a building specially constructed on an island in the Rhine just for the occasion. It was decorated with rugs, tapestries, and furniture borrowed from nearby wealthy families. She exited the other side to meet all of her new French attendants. Strasbourg welcomed her with ringing bells and bright fireworks. She collected the flowers that young girls threw in her path.

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Another procession of carriages carried her another 250 miles to where King Louis XV and his grandson, Louis Auguste, awaited her on a quiet forest road. Marie Antoinette stepped out of her carriage and rushed up to the king. She made a deep curtsy. King Louis XV was regal and handsome. He helped her up and kissed her cheeks in welcome.

Next, Marie Antoinette faced the dauphin. Compared to the king, Louis Auguste was chubby, clumsy, and shy. They shared a small kiss. They were strangers soon to be married. The morning of the wedding day, May 16, 1770, Marie Antoinette arrived at the Versailles palace. She hardly had a moment to take in the splendor of her new home. Attendants greeted her with gifts from the king—jewels, pearls, a diamond fan, and bracelets with her initials. They began the task of preparing her for her wedding. Dressing Marie Antoinette and styling her hair took three hours. In her white dress, Marie Antoinette joined the dauphin. He was dressed in a golden suit. They headed to the Royal Chapel. Here, they knelt at the altar and became man and wife.