De Duve - Marie-Antoinette: a Historical Tale for the Whole Family!

The Imperial Family. In the cradle, Marie-Antoinette

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Marie-Antoinette

A History of Belgium for children

Many, many years ago over two hundred and fifty years in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, there lived an Empress and an Emperor, Maria-Theresa and Francis I of Austria. They loved each other very much, and they had fourteen children together already. One night, as dusk fell over the Imperial city, bells started ringing from every church tower, announcing the good news: A little princess has been born! Light as a feather! The baby was the fifteenth child of the empress. She was given the lovely name of Marie-Antoinette, yet no one could suspect what fate had in store for her

Four years later, little Antoine, as she is called in the family, celebrates the birthday of her beloved father, the Emperor. She will sing in public tonight for the first time, accompanied by her brothers and sisters. In Vienna, everybody simply loves music!

Marie-Antoinette is seven years old when a little boy, just the same age, arrives at the Palace in Schnbrunn. He has come from Salzburg with his father and sister, and his name is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. When he plays the clavichord he sounds like an angel! But as he bows to his audience, the little musician slips and falls head over heels onto the wooden floor Wham! Everyone laughs as he lies sprawling on the ground. Only Marie-Antoinette kindly helps him to get up, adjusting his clothes and his little parade sword.

You, Mademoiselle, are much nicer than the others. When we both grow up, I shall marry you! says the little Mozart very seriously to the smiling Princess.

Todays the big day! Marie-Antoinette cries out as she wakes up. Get up! Its Saint Nicholas day morning! He certainly came down the chimney last night to bring us all gifts.

The children run all around the palace looking. They wonder Where is he? Where is he? Which chimney did he climb down?

They race down the hallways, opening every door and slipping on the floor in excitement. Still nothing! Breathless, they finally reach the little yellow sitting room where the Emperor, in his robe and nightcap, reads a letter by the fireside.

What brings you here so early and in such good spirits? their father asks with a smile.

There is a surprise for them

Look here! cries Ferdinand, looking in awe at the carpet laden with presents. Hurray! shout the children.

Saint Nicholas has brought them candy, toys and money.

Ferdinand finds a wooden soldier in his shoe, and Marie-Antoinette a lovely porcelain doll. Look how pretty she is! exclaims the little Princess, delighted.

Shes just the one I was hoping for!

But what happened? Maximilian weeps bitter tears in the corner. The Saints servant, who accompanies him to punish naughty children, left a bundle of prickly straw in his shoe. His elder sister Marie-Christine comforts him with a plateful of delicious heart-shaped cookies.

As every year, The Imperial family settles for the summer in the Palace at Schnbrunn, far away from Vienna. Marie-Antoinette strolls happily through the gardens, chasing the butterflies, counting the dots on the ladybirds and smelling the gorgeous roses.

The Emperor has just received an unusual gift from the Sultan, a camel!

Little Antoine calls her brothers and sisters.

Quick, lets go and see what it looks like!

But where is it? Does it have one hump, or two or three? wonders Ferdinand. They all have a good laugh about it.

The first one to see its hump wins! jokes Charlotte.

Marie-Antoinette has never seen a camel except those in a picture book. She runs as fast as she can and looks for it all around her fathers little zoo. Shhh! The puma is taking a nap. Watch out for that rhinoceros! It looks ferocious

But what is that noise? she wonders. Its the beautiful, multi-coloured parrots squawking and making a racket!

Ah! There it is, it does have two humps! cries Marie-Antoinette. I won!

Tea is served in the small Chinese drawing room. Mmm Delicious! The table is laden with a scrumptious mountain of pastries, tiny multi-coloured cakes and cream puffs. Be quiet! Dont let Mother catch us, she wouldnt like us to eat so many sweets! the children whisper.

Winter has covered the land with a snowy carpet. All wrapped up in warm furs, the children race wildly to their sleigh. Their cheerful team is all set to go.

Maximilian gives the signal, but suddenly, Watch out! and whoosh! The sleigh turns over. They all roll down the hill, landing deep in the snow. Youve turned into snowmen! laughs Marie-Antoinette, looking at her brothers and sisters, all white from top to toe. They all giggle.

Back at the Palace, the children cant stop sneezing!

Aaaah-chooo! sneezes Marie-Antoinette. Aaaah-CHEEE! her sister Charlotte follows. The two are inseparable. If one of them is ill the other one is sure to be too. Come on! says their nanny. In bed, both of you, with a hot water bottle at your feet! What got into you, rolling down in the snow like two fools? And look at you now, how silly!

The girls obey, chuckling behind her back.

Its time for her dance and music class. How graceful she looks! The little girl carries her head high and straight with a natural elegance. She really looks like a Princess now. Her clavichord teacher has arrived. His name is Gluck. Marie-Antoinette likes him a lot, hes very patient with her.

Alright Mademoiselle, lets start again from C, right here he tells his young pupil.