[crowd] Five, four, three, two, one.

[crowd cheering] Happy New Year!

[baby crying] -Happy New Year, Louis.

-Happy New Year, Madam.

-Happy New Year.

-Happy New Year.

Happy New Year.

[Yolande] And to you my Queen.

Happy New Year my love.

Happy New Year my friend.

I wish I could have you all to myself.

I can't imagine what we'd get up to in my bedchamber.

[Marie Antoinette] Stop it.

Saint-Georges.

[giggles] Happy New Year.

[Saint-Georges] Happy New Year, darling.

[chuckles] Happy New Year, Majesty.

Shall we?

[giggles] Happy New Year.

Happy New Year, Princess.

Happy New Year.

Didn't we meet at a masked ball in Paris?

Count Axel von Fersen, Majesty.

Did we?

You followed me around the dance floor.

I seem to remember you followed me.

You asked me to dance.

I think you've got it the wrong way around.

Do I?

[chuckles] It was...

Magical.

[Stormont] Happy New Year, Monsieur.

And to you, Stormont.

Are you aware that American insurgents are using French weapons to mutilate and murder our soldiers?

Why should I care, Ambassador?

Well who do you think is supplying the arms and ammunition?

Are you absolutely certain?

You have your spies, we have ours.

I urge you to speak to your brother, Monsieur.

It cannot be in either of our interests to go to war, over a bunch of revolutionaries.

[Maurepas] Ugh.

When you declare your support for American independence, we must be prepared for England to declare war on us.

We will have 32 ships of the line, seven frigates, five corvettes and one lugger.

All ready for battle.

[Maurepas] Excellent.

Your Majesty.

[straining] We must have... naval superiority, in the English Channel.

[Louis-Auguste] We will.

[Maurepas] Then you will succeed where your grandfather failed, my boy.

[theme music playing] Why, why don't you take Madame Royale to the Petit Trianon when the war starts?

Shouldn't we stay here with you?

I'll, I'll visit you when, when I can.

I want you to be happy, Madam.

What about you?

I will be happy when we crush England.

They stole Canada and Louisiana from us.

And now we are going to take their American colonies away from them.

Tomorrow?

I can't wait.

[sighs] [Theresa] I fear I may not live to see the event that will seal our alliance.

Give me a break, Ma.

Can't you see we're trying?

[Theresa] Try harder.

[scoffs] And next time, pretend you are enjoying it!

[sighs] [Maurepas] Are all the ships ready to be launched?

[Louis-Auguste] I won't make my announcement until they are.

If we don't win in the Channel we can't send our troops to America.

We... we need the momentum of a victory to sail across the Atlantic.

[Maurepas] That's the way to do it.

You've got a good grasp of strategy, my boy.

We can discuss battle tactics when England takes the bait.

Which she will, the moment we publicly declare our support for her colonies.

He wants us to move to the Petit Trianon.

Would you like me to make the arrangements?

Yes.

Only a Duchess is permitted to touch the Queen in public.

Have you met the Countess du Polignac?

Yolande to my friends.

Fersen to mine.

What brings you to Versailles?

I'm a soldier.

I hear that France may be preparing for a military engagement in America.

Where on earth did you hear that?

I've just arrived from England.

It's the topic of conversation at the court of St. James's.

I thought they only talked about me.

[Marie Antoinette and Yolande giggling] I can't believe he'd pick a fight with England.

[chuckles] Nobody takes on their navy and wins.

Rule Britannia.

-Britannia rule the waves.

-[Victoire and Adelaide laugh] This is no joke, Mesdames.

I'm deadly serious.

Why don't you speak to him, Provence?

Does he ever listen to me?

If he doesn't shout it from the roof tops.

You'll be seen as a safe pair of hands when it blows up in his face.

Josephine is right you know.

Say thank you.

Thank you.

You're welcome darling.

Good afternoon.

Sire.

Good afternoon, Monsieur.

I have a simple question that requires a simple answer.

Why the hell are you preparing to go to war with England over her rebel colonies?

I am not.

Don't lie to me.

I know that ferret face too well.

Don't speak to me like that.

Do I need to remind you how fortunate you are to be here after your unforgiveable behaviour?

It had nothing to do with me.

She was responsible for the libelle.

And you were a co-conspirator.

I am still the heir to your throne.

Why shouldn't I speak out about matters that concern us as a family?

-If you slip up we will be... -I won't.

Why do you go out of your way to make me feel so powerless?

Because you are.

How could she come to France, Mercy?

Hasn't she heard the rumours about the war?

It's been ten years, Majesty, since you left Austria.

She would like to see you.

See me?

Or spy on me?

She hasn't stopped spying on me since the day I arrived.

Take your time, to reflect.

If she's missing me so much why don't you send her my portrait?

I am her mother.

Her sisters welcomed me with open arms.

She's only suggesting you go when she delivers the Dauphin.

When?

Don't you mean if?

That maybe why she's reluctant to have you, Ma.

She's terrified that she won't deliver.

I think we can all agree that she hasn't delivered.

Give her time.

She may have time, Joseph, I don't.

What is she wearing?

[imperceptible chatter] Mr Benjamin Franklin, the American Ambassador to France.

Welcome to Versailles, Mr Franklin.

Majesties.

I believe I have the honour to be the first Monarch to recognise the United Provinces of North America.

[applause] [Benjamin Franklin] Yes, indeed.

You have that honour, Sire.

And may I say, on behalf of Congress, -how very... -[Stormont] And may I say on behalf of England, there is no Congress!

There are no United Provinces.

America is a British colony subject to the rule of King George and to the parliament of Great Britain.

He is not an ambassador.

He's a renegade!

How long before England declares war on France?

As long as it takes Viscount Stormont to reach Windsor.

That long?

[Victoire] Say something.

My brother has no idea what he's getting us into.

Your Majesties, if I may?

If all monarchies were governed by the same principles which are in your hearts, there would be no need to form republics.

Thank you, Mr Franklin.

It is a pleasure to receive you.

[sighs] I understand we will be moving to the Petit Trianon shortly.

Should I start to prepare?

You don't need to lift a finger, Yolande is organising everything.

That's my job.

She's only trying to help you.

Is she?

[Marie Antoinette] Her chaps will be joining us there.

Where are they going to sleep?

In my bed.

In your bed?

[chuckles] Where are you going to sleep?

In the attic.

If that's the arrangement, I won't be coming.

Please don't be like that.

It's her or me.

You know, I need you both.

You are my rock.

She's my adventure.

She's thrown me out of your life, Toinette.

You are lost to me because of that woman.

Can't you make peace with her?

It would make our lives so much easier.

[child giggles] [imperceptible chatter] [Maurepas groans] Maurepas please, please, sit down.

Oh, don't fuss.

[chuckles] [groans] It's only, old age.

And, uh, you'll have to... Argh!

You'll have to endure it yourself one day.

[chuckles] A bucket of ice please.

While we have a moment, may I ask for your advice?

Oh isn't that what I'm here for, my boy?

My wife has requested 250,000 Livres, from the Privy Purse.

Has she?

Whatever for?

To cover the Polignac's debts.

My inclination is to refuse but...

I know that Count Jules is your cousin.

Oh, uh, naturally it's none of my business.

The Privy Purse, is yours to do whatever you like with.

But...

I think you should give the Queen a free rein in her household.

Uh, it will allow you, a free rein to rule France.

[knocking on door] Oh, Your Majesty.

Let me help you.

[flinches] [groans] [Louis-Auguste] Here.

Thank you.

How in God's name, can we support a revolution?

What sort of an example is the King setting?

He is giving France the one thing we have been yearning for.

The chance to deprive our oldest enemy of the jewel in her crown.

[court] Hear, hear.

I am astonished you want to go to war with England, Chartres.

Isn't the Prince of Wales supposed to be your best friend?

When it comes to La Gloire, Monsieur, your best friend instantly becomes your worst enemy.

Excuse me gentlemen, duty calls.

Why only a Lieutenant Commander, cousin?

Surely you're capable of grappling a more senior position?

[Duc de Chartres] If it was up to me I'd be Grand Admiral of the fleet.

I am the most senior naval officer in this family.

So...

He refused to promote you?

I'm sure he had his reasons.

Perhaps he hasn't forgiven you for stealing his wife's affections?

Perhaps.

He's reduced me to a worthless appendage.

But... You do realise, if he screws up, we will be the first to benefit.

You have a point, cousin.

Are you leaving us, Princess?

I'm going to a spa, Mercy.

I need to rest.

My nerves can't take any more.

If circumstances change may I write to you?

I doubt they will.

Take care.

[man] Giddy up!

Come on.

[horse neighs] [knocking on door] Come in.

[door opens] Yolande.

[chuckles] What brings you to Paris?

You have an admirer, Fersen.

Thank you.

Make the most of it.

We do.

[door closes] [Marie Antoinette] Can I tempt you to come to the Petit Trianon tomorrow night?

Dress warmly.

We love to party under the stars.

-[woman] Prost!

-[all] Prost!

[all cheering] -[man] Again, again!

-[all] Again.

One more... -Prost!

-[all] Prost!

Prost!

[glass clinks] [laughs] Are we expecting anyone else?

Do you think he'll turn up?

He can't turn down an invitation from the Queen.

[chuckles] I want him to come for me.

I tiptoed to come to Paris.

-[laughs] -Yeah.

[laughs] Majesty.

[chuckles] We don't call her that in private.

So what would you like me to call you?

Antoinette.

Welcome to our merry circle, Fersen.

Welcome.

[Yolande] Welcome, Fersen.

[chuckles] Come on let's play!

Run.

[all cheering and laughing] No.

No!

[squeals] [man laughing] -Ah!

-[woman chuckling] -[grunts] -[groans] -[woman screams] -Oh, my gosh!

You're a maniac.

Sorry.

[chuckles] [Marie Antoinette] Somebody take that away.

Are you alright?

I'm fine, thank you.

[grunts] Be careful.

Her husband doesn't like her cosying up to impossibly handsome men.

[Fersen coughs] I'm very sorry.

She's a tricky butterfly to catch.

You can't catch butterflies.

You can only trap them.

Hmm.

[thuds] The King.

[imperceptible chatter] [door closes] One month ago we recognised the United Provinces of America.

We expected England to retaliate.

And this morning, an English frigate fired on the Belle Poule.

[all gasp] I have therefore instructed Comte d'Orvilliers to launch our fleet.

Our Orleans cousin will command the third squadron.

Ladies and gentlemen, France and Great Britain are at war.

[applause] Am I still your favourite?

Who else could take your place?

Oh you know who.

Don't let him queer my pitch while I'm away.

Impossible.

It would take five Fersens to fill your boots.

Is that all?

I'm relying on you.

[Duc de Chartres] Mmm-hmm.

To deliver the naval victory we're all praying for.

I will press the petals of this rose between the leaves of my prayer book.

[chuckling] What prayer book?

A kiss for your departing warrior?

Come back to us safely.

Maurepas.

[imperceptible conversation] [Yolande] Count Mercy.

What a pleasant surprise.

Is that from the Empress?

May I speak to the Queen?

She's resting.

I'm sure she'll be delighted to talk to you when she resumes her official duties at the Chateau.

Shall I give it to her?

Please ask the Queen to send for me when she has read it.

Yes of course.

[Count Mercy] I have been unable to visit the Queen at the Petit Trianon, where she's keeping unsuitable company.

The Countess has assumed an iron grip over her.

The boy King, is making his bid to shine as brightly as the Sun King.

The war against England has electrified France.

But no one in diplomatic circles, expects him to succeed.

-[Marie Antoinette] Whoo!

-Hazard!

-That's a foul.

-That's a foul.

Don't be ridiculous.

-[Jules] It's a foul.

-No it's not a foul.

Antoinette.

Countess.

Gentlemen.

I, uh, wasn't expecting you.

Come with me.

Where are they heading off to I wonder?

Oh, the nearest bush -by the looks of things.

-[all chuckle] She doesn't have the balls.

Welcome to the Petit Trianon.

This looks like an English flower market.

Wait, are you a closet Anglophile?

Don't tell anyone.

So... Count Fersen.

How do you like my home?

Isn't that quaint, little Chateau over there, your home?

That quaint little Chateau over there is my prison.

This is where I can be me.

Why were you in England?

My father sent me to sweep an heiress off her feet.

Engaged or married?

Neither.

And never if I can help it.

You don't want to get married?

When I love a woman I want to love her freely.

I don't want to be bound by... Convention?

I think we should go back inside.

I'm getting cold.

[Louis-Auguste] Are you spying on me?

[Provence] I was, merely trying to find out when our ships are going to get smashed up in the channel.

Can't you accept that I might succeed?

There's absolutely no chance of that.

Would it be too much for you to admit that father was wrong about me?

You know he was right, brother.

[all laughing] [Fersen stumbles] [clatter] [Fersen chuckling softly] [clatters] [Marie Antoinette chuckles] [breathing heavily] Well, boys, you will be overjoyed to hear we have finally cleared our debts.

What?

Ah!

-We should have asked for more.

-[scoffs] You're so difficult to please, Vaudreuil.

I think it's time we persuaded our hostess to give us a pension.

The lovely County of Bitche.

Producing a huge annual return.

Leave it to me.

I'll talk to Madam.

You, could persuade a nun to part with her chastity belt.

[Yolande] Mmm.

Thank you.

[Joseph] The Polignac has secured a ridiculous sum of money from the Privy Purse.

-How much?

-[Joseph] 250,000 Livres.

A pure madness!

They say Toinette will make her a Duchess.

How can she be such a fool?

[Joseph] She's not the only one.

Louis has thrust himself into the war between England and her colonies.

He should be supporting us in Bavaria.

Not stirring up a hornets nest in America.

She has not replied to my letter.

I must write to her again.

To warn her about her friends.

[coughing] What's the matter with you, Ma?

I'm cold.

Nonsense!

It's boiling hot in here.

Get out of bed and breath in some fresh air.

[inhales] Toinette.

Toinette.

[baby crying] [shushes] [softly] Shh, little one.

Mumma's here.

Mumma's here.

[baby continues crying] Mercy, what are you doing here?

I wanted to make sure you received this letter.

I see you've left your telescope behind.

Who told her about Louis's gift to the Polignacs?

It's not hard to find out.

The story is in every European newspaper.

I'm not the child she flung out of the Hofburg ten years ago.

And now that I have my own daughter I realise she should never have sent me away.

She was acting in your best interests.

[Marie Antoinette] Really?

Because I thought she only acted in her best interests.

[Count Mercy] Don't be so hard on your mother.

She won't always be there for you.

[Marie Antoinette] No one is going to tell me who I can or can't be friends with.

[naval officer] We took our position here.

[Louis-Auguste] Yes.

West of Ushant.

[naval officer] When they caught sight of us they set off in hot pursuit.

We aimed our guns and prepared to engage.

But...

But what?

What happened?

-They withdrew.

-They withdrew?

-Why?

-They refused to begin the battle at night.

How much longer do we have to wait?

A matter of days, Sire.

[Maurepas snores] [child giggles] -Higher?

-Yes.

-Whoo!

-[laughs] [Marie Antoinette chuckles] Look who it is?

Look who came to visit us.

Good afternoon, Madam.

And good afternoon little Madam.

[chuckles] Have you been ruling the waves?

Not quite.

Provence thinks we can't win the war.

Who cares what Provence thinks?

You can always rely on him to get it wrong.

We're going to win.

I hope so.

You aren't leaving us already, are you?

[Louis-Auguste chuckles] I have to go back.

Work.

Can't I tempt you to a glass of cognac?

I want to thank you for helping my family.

We are so grateful to you.

[baby crying] You have to sleep now, little one.

Sleep tight.

[Louis-Auguste] The first expedition is nearly ready.

General Rochambeau has begun to recruit his troops.

May I add my name to the list, Sire?

[Louis-Auguste] Rochambeau has been inundated with... Hey.

[Louis-Auguste] As I was saying, Rochambeau has been inundated with applications.

All of our French nobles want to fight in America.

So it will be difficult to secure a commission, Count Fersen.

You know this can't continue.

This is the first time I've felt free, since I left Austria.

You know, you and I, we're both outsiders.

Tonight I was reminded that you are the Queen of France.

I wish I could, forget about her.

Your husband is a good, kind and honourable man.

Yeah.

We won't do anything to hurt him.

-No.

-Mmm-mmm.

Of course not.

[Yolande] It's like a bucking broncho.

It goes up and down.

[chuckles] up and down.

And up... Down.

That's what happens when you fall in love.

It's the worst feeling in the world.

[Yolande] And the best.

You have a husband and a lover.

How do you manage to keep them both, happy?

[both chuckle] Well whatever they ask me to do I do.

Hmm.

For instance?

For instance.

They have set their hearts on the County of Bitche.

Now I know it's outrageously extravagant, but I said I'd mention it to you.

It is outrageous, you are right.

They should be satisfied with the gift they have just received from Louis.

[Vaudreuil] Who helped her to entertain the Swede behind everyone's back?

She owes us big time.

[Jules] She'll come around.

[Vaudreuil] Well, if she doesn't, we will have to pack our bags.

-Get the hell out of here!

-[chuckles] Isn't this charming little chocolate box to your taste?

[Vaudreuil] It's making me feel sick.

Well, don't worry.

If she won't play ball, I'll go straight to her husband.

[clack] [clack] What are you doing here, Chartres?

I thought this was Antoinette's bedchamber?

[Yolande] We swapped.

Well where is she?

In the attic.

Why, why don't you come back in the morning?

I have to speak to her now.

We won.

We won?

We beat the living daylights out of them.

-We won!

-[both laugh] [Marie Antoinette squeals] Have you told Louis?

No, I wanted to tell you first.

-Let's not play any more games.

-No, stop it.

-I can't.

-You must.

I'm mad about you.

Stop this now.

Don't you understand?

I'm in love with you.

[chuckles] Oh!

Don't laugh at me.

[gasps] You belong to me.

[struggling] Let me go.

[breathing heavily] I will never let you go.

Lamballe was right about him.

[applause] Please, Maurepas.

[Maurepas] Congratulations, Your Majesty.

[imperceptible conversation] Thank you.

[imperceptible conversation] [Joseph] I take my hat off to Louis.

The whole of France is celebrating his triumph in the English channel.

Has she replied to my letter?

Mercy says she will write to you, Ma.

She's punishing me.

I have been a bad mother.

You have been a great ruler, Ma.

Where is the King?

I need to speak to him now.

Are you sure about this?

Come and see for yourself.

[d'Orvilliers] The charges against you are egregious.

Failure to obey my order to engage the enemy.

I misread your signal.

Fleeing the Saint Esprit mid-battle.

We had already won.

The King appointed you to command the last squadron.

Not to quit your post and run off to Versailles.

I didn't quit.

The battle was over.

I came back to announce the victory to the only person who mattered.

If you had stayed, you could have knocked out their ships at the rear.

And our victory would not just have been a triumph, it would have been crowned in glory.

I can only conclude, it was a deliberate ploy on your part.

What do you mean by that?

Comte d'Orvilliers has reached the conclusion that you are a traitor, Monseigneur.

[d'Orvilliers] Did your friendship to England outweigh your loyalty to France?

Is this about us?

It's got nothing to do with me.

[Duc de Chartres] Then why are you here?

I wanted to see your face, when you were accused of betraying your country.

I'm not the traitor.

I have no choice but to dismiss you from the Navy and order you to leave Versailles.

[Duc de Chartres] You will both regret this.

[Provence] Will you go to Paris?

[Duc de Chartres] I can't.

He has banned me from coming within 50 miles of the Chateau.

[Provence] His luck can't last.

[Duc de Chartres] Neither can hers.

I'm glad you've finally seen the light, cousin.

Keep in touch.

[Duc de Chartres] You too.

[Provence] Oh, I will.

[Louis-Auguste] I have banished Chartres from Versailles.

I will dispatch Fersen to America.

Then, she will come back to me.

Majesties.

I have brought Mr Franklin to inspect the troops before you leave for America.

General Rochambeau.

[Rochambeau] Mr Franklin.

It's an honour to be fighting for the United States.

This is Count Fersen, my aide-de-camp, thanks to you, Sire.

Thank you, Sire.

Majesty.

I'm sorry to see you go, Count Fersen.

[Marie Antoinette] Mama.

[crying] [Marie Antoinette crying] No.

[breathing heavily] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ To order Marie Antoinette on DVD, visit ShopPBS or call 1-800-PLAY-PBS This program is also available on Amazon Prime Video ♪ ♪