On May 16, 1770, Louis-Auguste, the French Dauphin who would later become King Louis XVI, married the Austrian Archduchess Marie Antoinette. Their union, intended to solidify the alliance between France and Austria, became one of the most scrutinized and criticized partnerships during the turbulent times leading up to the French Revolution. The extravagant lifestyle and perceived indifference of Louis and Marie Antoinette to the plight of the French people would eventually fuel public outrage, contributing significantly to the social and political upheaval of the era.
