Episode 3 - The Affair of the Necklace and the Jewels of Marie Antoinette

In 1772, jewelers created a lavish necklace of 685 diamonds for Louis XV's mistress, but he died before it was completed. When Marie Antoinette refused the expensive piece, saying "We have more need of 24 ships," con artist Jeanne de la Motte saw her opportunity.Jeanne, an illegitimate descendant of Henri II seeking to reclaim her family's fortune, manipulated Cardinal Rohan, who was desperate to regain the Queen's favor. She forged letters from Marie Antoinette, hired a prostitute to impersonate the Queen in a nighttime meeting at Versailles, and convinced Rohan that the Queen secretly wanted the necklace.On February 1, 1785, Rohan handed over the necklace. Jeanne's husband immediately broke it apart and sold the diamonds across Europe. When the unpaid jewelers approached the court, the scandal erupted. Though Marie Antoinette was completely innocent, the Affair of the Diamond Necklace fed rumors of royal excess and hastened her downfall.Listen to the whole story and what became of her own jewels long after she died. ClaudineHemingway.com for more info, to book a tour, or assistance in planning your trip to Paris. Support the show