Princesse Élisabeth Philippine Marie Hélène of France, commonly known as Madame Élisabeth, was the youngest sister of King Louis XVI and sister-in-law to Marie Antoinette. I find it rather sad that she is often omitted from books and movies on the French Revolution for she was such a beautiful princess, and a great comfort to the King and Queen. I took a special interest in her after reading the historical novel ‘Abundance’ by Sena Jeter Naslund in which, a child herself, she brings a rose to young Marie Antoinette.

Born May 3, 1764, Madame Élisabeth was said to be a willful and haughty child who was tamed only when Madame de Mackau became her governess. She grew, however, in to a sweet natured and gentle young woman who was very pious and even wished to become a Nun, but was refused permission by her brother who felt she was needed at court. The very model of charity, she never married and when she was given a farm called Montreuil for her 25th birthday she created a dairy there to provide milk for poor children.

One could not live at Versailles however, without finding some enjoyment in the amusements there and it is said the Princess loved to dance and was always the last to leave a ball. She had a fondness for music, embroidery and fashion and was equally at home organizing her ladies in charitable causes as picking out a new pair of shoes. In her later years she spent much time with the Queen at the Trianon.

Perhaps the greatest attestment to Élisabeth’s character was her sense of duty towards the monarchy. When other nobles were fleeing the country, despite the danger to herself, she remained with them to the very end, when she comforted Madame Royale after her parent’s death. The last letter penned by Marie Antoinette was to Madame Élisabeth who had since become as a sister to her in their shared tragedy. She died at the guillotine on May 10, 1794. During her execution there were no cheers, the silent crowd even reported that there was a scent of roses in the air.

reference 1, reference 2, Montreuil