Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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You probably know Marie-Antoinette as the spendthrift queen who contributed to the French monarchy's downfall. (Or from the 2005 film starring Kirsten Dunst.) You probably also know her famous saying, "Let them eat cake." But does the French queen deserve this harsh of a reputation? And did Marie-Antoinette ever say that famous line at all?

Short answer: no. Long answer? Watch our video to find out why we blame Marie-Antoinette for the French Revolution...and who was really the cause.

Learn more from Britannica:
Who Was Marie-Antoinette? britannica.com/biography/Marie-Antoinette-queen-of-France
The "Let Them Eat Cake" Story: britannica.com/story/did-marie-antoinette-really-say-let-them-eat-cake
How Did Marie-Antoinette Die? britannica.com/question/Why-is-Marie-Antoinette-so-famous
What Does Bastille Day Celebrate? britannica.com/topic/Bastille-Day

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