

Queen of France
Season 1 Episode 4 | 50m 44sVideo has Audio Description, Closed Captions
When the King becomes seriously ill, succession suddenly becomes a reality.
Marie Antoinette and Louis are about to make their first official visit to Paris. But the King becomes seriously ill and succession becomes a reality. Du Barry knows that she needs to protect herself from the future Queen of France.
See all videos with Audio DescriptionADFunding for Marie Antoinette is provided by Collette.

Queen of France
Season 1 Episode 4 | 50m 44sVideo has Audio Description, Closed Captions
Marie Antoinette and Louis are about to make their first official visit to Paris. But the King becomes seriously ill and succession becomes a reality. Du Barry knows that she needs to protect herself from the future Queen of France.
See all videos with Audio DescriptionADHow to Watch Marie Antoinette
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipMay I visit you this evening, Madam?
[chuckles] ♪ [sighs] It is our great pleasure to announce that on the 8th June the Dauphin and his wife will make their first official visit to Paris.
[all exclaim] This is your opportunity to reassure the capital that the future of our beloved country is in the safest of hands.
I know... that together you will triumph.
[all clapping] [Madame du Barry] France!
[all gasp] We need help.
♪ [theme music playing] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [knocking on door] ♪ I must treat the King.
So you can stick leeches all over his body?
I don't think so.
I'm the King's physician.
Take one step further and I'll ram them down your throat.
[gasps] The man's a quack.
Hmm.
[coughs] [clears throat] [knocking on door] We want to see our father.
You can't keep him to yourself.
He's asleep.
Then we'll wait.
Outside.
[sighs] [knocking on door] What!
[Provence] We would like to visit Papa.
He can't see anyone.
He is the heir and I am the spare.
We've a right to know if the King is alive.
[Madame du Barry] He's resting.
Send Louis in.
Come.
Oh, for heaven's sake, do sit down.
There.
Are you prepared?
No.
[chuckles] Did you think I was immortal, hmm?
Hmm?
[chuckles] I was 5 when I became King.
You...You are a man now, my boy.
[sniffs] [door closes] What did he say?
Did he speak to you?
Will he recover?
[cries] [clock chimes] ♪ When Papa Roi croaks, I will become Monsieur.
Won't I be Madam?
Try not to make a fool of yourself.
I have done everything you demanded of me since my arrival.
What more do you want from me?
I expect you to support me as I prepare for my future.
Our future.
What do you mean by that?
Oh, use your imagination, husband.
Louis.
♪ [breathing heavily] Talk to me.
I can't do this.
Of course you can.
We will do it together.
An announcement will be made shortly about the King's health.
[indistinct chattering] [sighs] [Adelaide and Victoire] Papa!
[King Louis XV] I'm back.
[indistinct chattering] Are you feeling better?
You're going to have to wait a little bit longer, my boy.
[exclaims] [laughter] Now let's go for lunch.
Yes.
I could eat a horse!
[all laughing] You must be so happy.
Let's go.
♪ [Marie Antoinette] Let's ride out to the Petit Trianon.
Maybe... Mm-hmm?
we can have a picnic.
Thank you.
What for?
[horse neighs] For being you.
[horse neighs] How is France feeling?
Much stronger now.
You certainly are!
[groans] The best medicine.
[exhales] You gave me such a fright.
I thought I was going to lose you.
Me... or all of this?
[exclaims] How can you think such a thing?
Don't tell me you've never thought about it.
Well, may have crossed my mind.
Oh, yes?
[laughs] Perhaps there is a way I can protect you, my love.
♪ [Marie Antoinette] Do you want one?
Ready.
Yeah!
Whoo!
[laughing] You couldn't paint a more beautiful picture.
So peaceful.
The Petit Trianon was built for the King's favorite.
Have you chosen your favorite?
♪ [both chuckle] ♪ Good to see you on fighting form, France.
Mmm.
Papa Roi is in rude health.
Well, I hope she uses her finger bowl when she finishes!
[both chuckle] [clears throat] [King Louis XV] This afternoon I proposed to Madame du Barry.
[coughs] And she... accepted.
After we are married, the Countess will exercise all the prerogatives of a Queen during my lifetime, and as my widow, after I am gone, she will come first.
How can the King of France marry his whore?
The King... can do whatever he likes.
[Louis-Auguste] Congratulations.
[King Louis XV] Ah, thank you.
Papa!
Papa!
Papa, how could you?
She is an abomination.
An insult to the memory of our dead mother.
You can't marry her.
You must chose, Mesdames.
Accept her as my wife, or... retire from court.
Hmm?
Hmm?
[scoffs] ♪ [King Louis XV] Thank you for waiting, my love.
[Madame Noailles] It is no secret that the French detest the Austrians.
You will have to move heaven and earth to show the Parisians that you are a French Princess.
Should a wrap myself in the fleur-de-lys?
[chuckles] You must display French manners.
French elegance.
[door opening] And French style.
The robe a la francaise.
[grunts] [clock chiming] Take it away.
Oh, no.
Put those back.
I rather like them.
[Provence] What are you doing?
Weren't you told?
Told what?
You're moving upstairs into the eaves with your wife.
The two of you will be cozy up there, don't you think?
This is my apartment.
These are my possessions.
This will make the perfect dressing room when I become Queen.
There is a noose around your neck, du Barry.
One false move, and I'll be first in line to kick away the stool.
[door opening] ♪ ♪ I can't wait to see your designs.
It shan't be long.
Mademoiselle Bertin.
The Princess du Lamballe.
Oh, Princess.
And the Dauphine.
Of course.
Of course.
We love your style.
And your attention to detail.
Look at this, Toinette.
[laughs] Isn't that charming?
I am preparing for my visit to Paris.
Oh, yes.
I know all about that.
So... will you design my dress for me?
Well, I am preparing for the Royal Wedding.
That must take precedence over everything else.
An honor to make your acquaintance, little Dauphine.
Princess.
[exhales] It's a masterpiece.
He is a man of many talents.
Thank you, Sire.
Beaumarchais looks after all of my personal affairs.
And he will be here to assist you when... when the time comes.
The escapement is minuscule.
I invented it myself.
[laughs] Are you listening to me, boy?
What are the dimensions?
Because I've seen one that I think... Are you preparing for your future?
Yes.
Then when are you going to á*á*á*á* your wife?
♪ ♪ [knocking on door] ♪ ♪ Something is sticking in my back.
It's the mattress and the pillows.
It's full of lumps.
I...I can't sleep here.
This is an outrage.
Can't we do something about it?
What do you suggest?
I think it's time we made our announcement.
[Marie Antoinette] Mademoiselle Bertin.
Little Dauphine.
History is not kind to losers.
I'm the future, she's the past.
You choose.
You do have a flair for design.
Hmm.
How are the plans for your big day, little Dauphine?
You must be worried about your outfit.
Parisians can be so nasty if you don't meet their exacting standards.
I'm used to nasty people.
I could ask Bertin to lend you her apprentice.
Perhaps she could zhuzh you up a bit.
A flounce here, a furbelow there.
Don't push your luck.
I don't need luck.
I've got the King.
Your arms down.
Where's the Princess?
[sighs] [door opening] Ah.
So sorry I'm late!
Um, you're not permitted to come into the Dauphine's bedchamber.
Only members of the nobility have the right of entry.
Follow me.
This way.
Where are you taking them?
To my private apartment.
[whispers indistinctly] You must be dressed in public, Madam!
Must I?
[exhales] ♪ ♪ [laughter] ♪ [all squealing in excitement] ♪ ♪ Ahh!
♪ ♪ [horse snorts] ♪ ♪ [Louis-Auguste] You look exquisite, Madam.
♪ [Theresa] Never forget that you are an Austrian Archduchess.
[Marie Antoinette] What if they hate me for being Austrian?
♪ [indistinct chatter] [man in crowd] We want to see the Royal couple.
Come on!
♪ ♪ [breathing shakily] [crowd murmuring] [murmuring continues] I think it's her.
[crowd cheering] [crowd cheers] They're cheering for you, Madam.
[chuckles softly] [laughing] Hello!
[crowd cheering] [cheering wildly] Hello!
[crowd cheering] [cheering continues] [violin music playing] ♪ [Duc de Chartres] Meet Saint Georges.
Oh, I love a party.
♪ ♪ [indistinct chattering] Hello!
Good evening.
[laughter] ♪ ♪ Where is she?
Over there.
Who is she dancing with?
That is Count Axel Von Fersen.
He dances well.
He's Swedish, they all dance well.
♪ [clears throat] May I?
Of course.
♪ ♪ [horse hooves marching] ♪ [horse knickers] [all clapping] [Marie Antoinette] Thank you.
♪ Have you tried our macarons?
Mm.
[Josephine] Delicious.
Aren't they going to congratulate us?
There is something we should mention.
[Provence and Josephine chuckle] Oh, shall I?
Go ahead.
Oh, it's a little early to talk about it, but, we wanted you to be the first ones to know.
We're expecting a new arrival.
[Adelaide] Ah, at last!
The next Bourbon heir.
[laughter] You going to congratulate us, brother?
I'm pleased for you both.
[Marie Antoinette] Yes, yes.
It's wonderful.
Wonderful.
Congratulations.
[Victoire] Congratulations.
[Adelaide] Wonderful.
[Provence] Thank you.
[laughing] [Josephine] I have been suffering morning sickness.
[Josephine and Provence laugh] [Provence] She won't stop going on about it.
♪ I would like to visit you this evening, Madam.
Yes.
Come to me after supper.
If Josephine can get pregnant, so can I.
♪ ♪ The King has been taken ill. ♪ France, France.
It's me.
I'll get help for France.
[whimpers] ♪ ♪ [lock clicks] [exhales] [whimpering] My head.
My head.
Yes.
[groaning] I'll take care of you.
Oh, I can't...I can't breathe.
Can you...Can you...please.
Is that right?
No.
I don't think so.
Shall we, um... Shall we try it again?
Yes.
Wait.
May I?
Yeah?
Ready?
Ready?
Mm-hmm.
Uh, huh.
Argh.
Sorry.
No, no, keep...Don't stop... Don't stop.
Keep going.
[screams] [screams] No.
Stop, stop, stop, stop.
Stop.
[Louis-Auguste] We tried to consummate our marriage.
It was not a success.
Monsieur, it's the King.
[knocking on door] Go away, you can't come in.
[Louis-Auguste] Please open the door, Countess.
♪ ♪ Return to your apartments and lock yourselves in.
The King has smallpox.
[gasps] ♪ I must speak to him, I must speak to him.
They have to let me in.
They have to let me in.
No.
They have to let me in.
I need to tell him something.
You can't.
You can't go.
I need to tell him something.
I can go for you.
I've had the disease.
♪ [breathing heavily] I have brought a message... from your grandson.
He wants you to know... that he is ready... to wear the crown.
[King Louis XV groans] [breathing heavily] Will you... Will... What?
Will you look after... my sweet boy?
Yes, I will.
Of course.
And be kind... to Madame du Barry.
Grant her... some dignity.
Can you...Can you hear me...hear me?
Yes.
My little Dauphine.
Yes.
Can you hear...
Thank you.
[mumbles] ♪ ♪ [King Louis XV] I am... a poor sinner, please... guilty before God for... for all my sins.
There are those whom I have sought to hurt, but... what troubles me most... if God is His love... then I...
I...
I have...
I...
I have... ♪ His Majesty has asked Almighty God to pardon his offenses, and the scandalous example he has set to his people by living with that fallen woman.
[King Louis XV mutters incoherently] Should God grant him good health again, he will spend the remainder of his life in repentance for his sins, and for the good of his subjects.
Amen.
[royal court] Amen.
♪ ♪ [breathing heavily] ♪ ♪ [footsteps] ♪ [knocking on door] ♪ ♪ [Madame Noailles] The King is dead.
Long live the King.
[all] Long live the King.
May God guide us and protect us.
♪ ♪ [Louis-Auguste] Are you sure?
[Marie Antoinette] Yes.
♪ ♪ Congratulations.
A battle well fought.
I think... we have more in common than you realize.
We're two women trying to survive in this vicious world.
Well, you didn't make it any easier.
No.
[horse neighs] ♪ ♪ Good luck.
♪ ♪ To order Marie Antoinette on DVD, [theme music playing] visit ShopPBS or call 1-800-PLAY-PBS This program is also available on Amazon Prime Video ♪ ♪
Episode 4 Preview | Queen of France
Video has Closed Captions
When the King becomes seriously ill, succession suddenly becomes a reality. (30s)
Video has Closed Captions
Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI banish Madame du Barry from Versailles. (2m 58s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipFunding for Marie Antoinette is provided by Collette.