The last Queen of France Marie Antoinette remembered for her extravagant lifestyle and famous saying “Let them eat cake!” forever wanders through the halls of history as a pompous aristocrat and yet, there was an aspect to her unbeknownst by many. The affection she had for her dear companion Mops. A small pug and a constant source of joy to Marie Antoinette during her most tumultuous experiences.
Despite the grandeur and shining brilliance of the palace of Versailles, the queen found that small solace all humans ache for in the simple presence of her sweet pup. Mops’ loyalty and affection offered relief and acceptance in the often fickle and callous nature of the French court. Having received Mops as a gift from her mother, Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. They shared an immediate and strong bond as sure as the blue in the French skies. While being described as a threat to a ladies appearance in Caroline Weber’s novel Queen of Fashion
“His dirty paws could simply not be trusted around a woman who, now more than ever, was going to have to look her best.”
He was taken away from Marie before making her journey to France. None the less Mops found the soon-to-be Queen again and accompanied her on this adventure leading her to the rest of her life- new beginnings in a foreign land.
During this era, just the presence and sense of familiarity comforted Marie as she waded through her new river of responsibilities and insecurities that came with being Dauphine of France. A connection such as this was not just based as simple affection for a pet but rather, a lifeline that tied her back to her girlhood and a pillar she could hold when it all just became too much. Opulence and strict protocol ruled the French court just as much as intense scrutiny and political intrigue lingered in every corner.
Unconditional love and support even from a small creature like Mops gave Marie Antoinette joy in the bleakest of times. A witness to the young queens struggles Mops, would be with her always, as she navigated court life and it’s complexities. And while this new world was judgmental and hostile Mops served his queen as a confidant for all her private sorrows and a provider of normalcy in this uptight and suffocating existence.
Through all the lies spread and terrible vulgarities said about the Queen Mops remained by her side. Increasing criticism from the public and nobility became a normal occurrence for Marie Antoinette. Lavish spending and perceived indifference to the suffering of her people made her the target of resentment and vile opinions. Steadfast as ever Mops was with her through all of it.
Growing anxieties and pressures tested the connection the Queen and her companion shared time and time again and still they remained as they were. Emotional support granted Marie with the warmth of unconditional love during a time that can only be referred to as the
“calm before the storm.”
A looking glass that the Queen often used to escape the feeling of impending doom and restlessness that devoured the softness of the 18th century daylight, yet to be polluted by industrial powers but harboring the exhaustion and violent grudges of the French commoners. The French revolution brought upon great change that sent Marie Antoinette towards the final chapter of her life.
The power of the Revolutionaries saw a steady increase and the royal family for what little freedom they had saw a great uptake in moderation. So, the little pug’s role as the Queen’s one true confidant became evermore crucial. Amidst the chaos Mops provided the frightened queen with continuity and much needed comfort.
The companionship of Mops was a minuscule yet vital source of strength for Marie Antoinette during the darkest days of her life. As the revolution progressed, and the royal family saw their entire lives being ripped from their hands. Being moved to the Temple prison in Paris only served to deteriorate Marie’s mental and physical health more.
Her once glamourous and seemingly eternal position was reduced to a stark and grim existence. Despite the circumstances, Mops remained the tawny colored support he’d always been. How long could this reminder of love remain with the queen though?
In a world now governed by hostility and increasing isolation, when would the slender, calloused hands of loneliness take her pup and swallow him up as it had done with everything else in her life? Through all her negative portrayals and reputation, Marie Antionette was human. Her relationship with her dear pets made that certain. Despite all this glimmer and grandeur used to decorate the Dauphine of France her love for her dogs was a testament to her ability to find joy in the simple, even as her world crumbled.
The final days of Marie Antoinette’s life were marked by immense suffering. Mops is not known to have been by her side after the execution of her husband King Louis the XVI. Separated from her children and made to wait in a cold room for her life to be taken, the once Queen of France now had nothing-not her family, not her oldest friend, and not the ability to care for Thisbe a little spaniel she took care of in her final years.
Despite all expectations he had managed to track down Marie’s new prison and would sit outside her door waiting for days at a time. No matter the circumstances or the various characters who would take Thisbe to their home as a show of mercy he always made his way back to Conciergerie which was the name of the Queen’s holding house.
When Marie Antoinette’s door finally opened a cart of people immerged taking her to her death. Thisbe-as loyal as he was-followed her cart and watched as she was beheaded in front of all of the people, she once called subjects. As accounted by witnesses there was a cold silence in the air after her head fell, followed by Thisbe’s scared and pained howl, the pup never was able to express his grief at the sight of his loved one’s death before a soldier’s bayonet pierced his heart.
Forever know to the world as the Queen who mocked her poor subjects, her humanity often buried to make her a symbol of aristocratic opulence and a prime example of tyranny and an unfair government, and so with her inability to hold Mops, Thisbe, or her children in her final hours, Marie Antoinette left this world scorned and alone.
Hiding behind all the face powder and golden sugar that Versailles used to glamorize its inhabitants was a scared girl taken from her home at fifteen with truly only her puppies as real friends.
