Since their failed attempt at fleeing, Marie Antoinette, her husband, children, and sister-in-law were being kept under strict guard in the Tuileries.
On 20 June 1792, a terrifying mob was allowed into the gardens of the palace by the National Guard. They carried pikes and hatchets and eventually broke into the palace itself. They made their way to the King’s apartments and confronted Louis, who was being protected by the Duke de Mouchy, Marshal of France. The 72-year-old Duke had placed himself firmly between the King and the mob. King Louis reportedly behaved himself admirably in the face of the mob and accepted the small bonnet rouge offered to him on the end of a butcher’s pike. It was too small for him. He also toasted to the health of the people with the mob.
The King’s sister, Madame Elisabeth, also acted quite bravely. The mob had mistaken her for Marie Antoinette, and she wished to keep up that pretence, saying, “Don’t undeceive them, let them think that I am the Queen…”1
Marie Antoinette was helped to safety, even though she had wished to remain by her husband’s side. After being reminded that she was also a mother, she took refuge with her children after escaping. When she was later asked if she had been afraid, she replied, “No, but I suffered from being separated from Louis XVI at a moment when his life was in danger.”2
When the coast was finally clear, they were able to reunite with King Louis. The children were much affected by the horrifying mob, and Marie Thérèse became increasingly withdrawn after the incident, while the Dauphin had not been able to speak at all.
Just a few short months later, the family would be moved to a much more terrifying prison.
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