Original subtitles

(Madame Noailles) Wake up.

- Wake up. - (Marie grunts softly)

(Madame Noailles) Majesty.

Punctuality is the politeness of kings and queens.

(yawns)

It's the Ceremony of the Morning Bows

to commemorate his late Majesty.

(Marie Antoinette) Not again. (sighs)

The Dowager Princess de Conti.

- Stand up straight. - (sighs)

The Dowager Duchess de Nemours.

- (sighs) - And smile.

The Dowager Countess de Broglie.

When is this going to end?

The Countess de Chavigny.

Mourning lasts for a year after the late King's death.

A year?

(Victoire) Look at the state of this office. Look at this.

What are you doing? You have to appoint the right people.

- Your father wanted Maurepas. - God rest his soul.

When will you give me a seat on the council?

Why don't you include the Orleans

and Bourbon members of the family?

(all) You have to make a decision!

(sighs)

Deportment and poise are required at all times, Majesty.

(sighs)

I'm not on show now.

Can you see anyone else here apart from my mother?

(Madame Noailles) The Queen sets the standard.

My duty is to remind her of that high bar.

(sighs)

As she knows, only princes and princesses of the blood

or members of the nobility may enter her bedchamber.

Mademoiselle Bertin and Monsieur Leonard

are not allowed to visit.

(sniffs)

(scoffs)

This is insane.

Ladies are not permitted to run at Versailles.

(huffs)

It's been two months, Louis.

Isn't it time to come out of mourning and begin our reign?

This is Versailles, Antoinette. We're not in Vienna.

- (Adelaide) Hear, hear. - (Victoire) Hear, hear.

- Yes. - (Adelaide gasps)

I... I think it is time.

(Adelaide) This is outrageous!

- You coward! - Thank you.

Court mourning is officially over!

- By whose order? - Mine.

(all laughing)

Yours?

With the King's consent.

Oh, there you are. Come. Come stand by me.

Up. (chuckles)

I have decided to make Lamballe superintendent of my household.

That office was abolished many years ago, Majesty.

I'm resurrecting it.

Out of the question. She would be my superior.

A fresh reign demands fresher faces, don't you think?

I will not accept a demotion, Majesty.

(all gasp)

Oh, well, I'm sorry to see you go, Madame Etiquette.

(all murmuring)

(laughing)

My superintendent.

- Majesty. - Majesty.

(chuckles)

- My superintendent. - Majesty.

(theme music playing)

Has the King spoken to you about his choice of Prime Minister?

Mercy, I have barely seen Louis since he became the King.

Austria's interests are paramount.

Naturally. When aren't they?

The Empress favours the recall of Choiseul.

Hmm, for once, I agree with Mama.

(woman) So I've heard there's a new portrait painter

straight from Italy.

(clears throat)

(woman) ...quite handsome.

(all chattering and laughing)

She parades her pregnancy to the world

and they fawn all over her.

Me? I'm just the Queen of France.

May I suggest you stamp your mark on your reign.

That's exactly what I intend to do, Mercy.

It's extraordinary.

Did you design this one yourself?

Who else possesses my expertise?

(both chuckle)

What time is it recording, Beaumarchais?

Your time, sire.

It's counting the days, hours, and minutes of your reign.

I don't know how to reign.

Have you chosen your Prime Minister?

(sighs) I can't.

I need to put all of this in order first.

(sighs) I'm here to assist you, sire.

(Duc de Chartres) Oh, it's lovely.

- Boop! Boop! - This one.

- (Marie Antoinette) Everybody... - What's that?

I have decided to launch our style council with a ball.

- Ooh! - Ooh!

Versailles will dazzle for a new age.

The age of Marie Antoinette.

I hope that means we're going to have some fun.

That's why you're all here. (laughs)

I'm relying on you, Saint-Georges.

- (chuckles) Rose? - Mm-hmm?

- (Marie Antoinette) Leonard? - Mm-hmm.

Can I count on you?

We will turn this court upside down.

(all cheering, laughing)

Stop, stop! This is too much too soon.

Versailles can't be torn down and rebuilt in a day.

Would you prefer us to live in a cloister, like you, Lamballe?

(all laughing)

- Let's set this palace on fire. - Yes!

- Finances under Fleury. - Keep.

- Suppression of the Jesuits. - Burn.

Foreign policy during the Seven Years' War.

Keep.

- Yeah. - (Louis-Auguste coughing)

Hmm! Privy purse expenditures under Madame du Barry.

- Burn. - Of course.

- The Petit Trianon? - Keep.

This one is about your brother.

Pass it to me.

Where did this come from?

The King's secret.

What secret?

Your grandfather's network of spies.

They work behind the scenes

without his ministers' knowledge.

Who was in charge?

Moi!

- Hmm. - (knocking on door)

Do you have a moment?

What about, Madam?

Prime Ministers.

We can talk later this evening when I come to visit you.

(chuckles softly) See you later then.

- (door closing) - (exhales)

Pass me the file on the Petit Trianon.

Stop it.

The ball is going to be thrown in her honour.

Who does she think she is?

No French queen has dared

to step onto the public stage since...

Catherine de' Medici.

Whilst he dithers, she is stealing his crown.

You've barely moved since you crawled out of bed.

- I'm exhausted. - Josephine must rest.

Of course she must.

Louis should appoint Maurepas and start ruling sensibly,

surrounded by all the able members of our family.

A proposition far too simple for my brother to understand.

Speak to him, Provence.

(Provence) When will you recall Maurepas?

Who will you appoint to the Council of Minsters?

You may be paralysed,

but your wife waltzes on without you.

Have you heard she's set up a style council?

- I should go. - Sit down.

I haven't finished with you yet.

(knocking on door)

What are you doing here?

Have you spoken to the King?

I'm expecting him now.

- I wish you a fruitful night. - Go.

(chuckles)

Father always said I should have been the King.

What did he say about you? Hmm?

"How can a tongue-tied cretin be let loose on France?"

He had a sharp turn of phrase. Just like you, brother.

- Look at this. - What is it?

A report on Du Barry's attempt

to send the Dauphine back to Vienna.

It appears you were involved.

Where did you find it?

In Papa Roi's private cabinet.

- Was he spying on me? - He was spying on everyone.

Well, she's still here, isn't she?

Remind me, what is the point of her?

- She is my wife. - Hmm.

And does she deserve that title?

(scoffs, sighs)

Appoint me to your council.

I can sort out this mess for you.

If you really do want to help France

perhaps you could offer your services

to the Style Council?

(chuckles)

(knocking on door)

(grunts)

(sighs)

(sighs)

(Louis-Auguste)Forgive me, my duties kept me

from visiting you this evening, Madam.

I am sending you a gift in my place.

The Petit Trianon belongs to the King's favourite.

It is only right that you should have it

to entertain your friends.

(all chuckling)

(Marie Antoinette) Isn't it beautiful?

(Saint-Georges) Yes.

(all laughing)

(Chartres)One, two.

No! No, no, no, no.

- Again. - (Marie Antoinette) Yes.

Yes, we can't perform like this on our big night.

No, we can't. (chuckles)

- Stop it. (chuckles) - All right.

I won't do it.

Yes, you will.

I need someone on the inside reporting directly to me.

Well, if that's what you want, why don't you do it?

I'm not joining her council.

I intend to run his.

(classical music playing)

Oh, hello, you two.

Didn't take you long to find us.

Yes, we could hear you torturing that instrument

all the way from the Chateau.

Please, come and, um, sit down.

We can't stay.

Have you met my friend, Saint-Georges?

Monsieur, an honour. Madam, my pleasure.

Josephine has agreed to join your council.

Style isn't exactly your thing, is it?

I have more important things to think about.

- You play an instrument. - Well, obviously.

Well, she can join your orchestra.

(chuckles)

Would you like to audition for me?

(laughing)

My wife doesn't need to prove herself to anyone,

least of all him.

Josephine, come and join me, we could practise together.

I really can't.

Provence is always telling me to be careful,

aren't you, darling?

I have slowed down to a crawl

waiting for the Dauphin to arrive.

You disobeyed my orders, Madam.

I don't follow orders, Monsieur.

I am your master.

You may rule my household, but you don't rule me.

Coach!

Hyah!

- Where is Provence? - Is he unwell?

He refused to watch them flaunt

their friendship in front of the court.

- Quite right. - Quite right.

And where is Louis?

(all talking indistinctly)

(all quiet down)

May I introduce you to the Chevalier de Saint-Georges!

(all cheering)

(Marie Antoinette) Welcome to the Petit Trianon.

I hope you enjoy our concert.

- Oops. - (all laughing)

(exhales)

(classical music playing)

(chuckles softly)

(chuckles)

Saint-Georges!

(music slows)

(Mercy) An old friend would like to say hello to you.

Choiseul. You came.

How could I refuse your invitation, Majesty.

I missed you.

- I will write to Maurepas. - You better get a move on.

Have you come far?

Exile feels like the end of the earth.

(Marie Antoinette) Welcome home.

Let me present you to the King.

Can you help me?

What is she doing? Oh, my God.

Where is he?

What does she look like?

A virgin queen.

(ladies giggling)

He doesn't know what he's missing.

(Marie Antoinette) You're right.

Play something else!

Move, move! Come on, come on. You too, you too. You too.

No. No, no, no.

Listen. Don't do that.

Come on, come on. Move, move. Yeah!

Turn! Turn! Come on!

"This evening my wife showed everyone who rules Versailles.

I was treated like a nobody."

(sighs)

(Theresa)Your frivolous passion for parties

is a flaw in your character, Toinette.

Do I need to remind you of your duty to your husband?

Savoy will cast Austria into the shade

when Josephine gives birth to the Dauphin.

(people whispering)

(Maurepas) Your Majesty.

- Who's that? - Maurepas.

He's their protege.

Maurepas is a relic like Mesdames.

(whispers) If he's a relic, you're a dinosaur.

Good job.

(chuckles)

(whispering indistinctly)

He's ridiculous. - (indistinct)

Where is the Queen?

(page) She is visiting the Petit Trianon, sire.

(horse neighing)

You came to see me?

I came to talk to you.

Louis, why don't we live here

like Papa Roi did with his favourite?

- We can't. - 'Course we can.

We don't have time for a private life.

Aren't we entitled to be happy?

I don't know what it means to be happy.

(Marie Antoinette) Let me show you.

Kiss me.

Kiss me.

(gasps)

Get dressed.

Get dressed and come back to Versailles, Madam.

Our duty is there, not here.

These aren't going to travel very far.

They are an attack on the Queen.

Find out who is responsible and report back to me.

The King's secret?

Congratulations. You have made your first appointment.

Moi. Any thought about your Prime Minister?

My aunts want Maurepas, my wife wants Choiseul.

(sighs)

What do you want, sire?

I... (sighs) I... I can't decide.

Put them through their paces, hmm?

Who has better conformation,

the ancient fat one or the younger fit one?

(both chuckle)

Where did you find this?

- Under my pillow. - (chuckles)

I'm being punished because I won't conform to their rules.

Perhaps you should.

All four ministries will report to me.

I have set a date for our first council meeting.

Will I be there?

- Remind me, how old are you? - Twenty.

Your grandfather didn't attend his first council meeting

until he was 34.

Who is she?

(Lamballe) Yolande, Countess de Polignac.

Married to Count Jules.

- The one on the right? - Mm-hmm.

A minor member of the nobility,

and they say the other one is her lover.

Oh! (chuckling) Her lover? Where do they live?

They're staying in lodgings in the town.

They live in the middle of nowhere.

Good afternoon, my Queen.

Good afternoon.

(chuckles)

I am afraid you will find a lot of these council meetings

rather tedious and complicated.

You don't have the slightest idea

what's going on in the world when you're only 20 years old.

Count Mercy and I have resumed

our private channel of communication.

The checks and balances...

Once Choiseul starts, he never stops.

You should see him in the council chamber,

he doesn't draw breath.

He says I'm too young to join the council.

Well, if you don't start now, when will you learn?

You need someone to guide you, not tell you what to do.

(Louis-Auguste) His strategy on Austria is sound.

Choiseul is too cosy with Austria.

It caused great upset at the time of your marriage.

His return can only weigh heavily against the Queen

in the eyes of this court.

(Choiseul) Sire.

(both chuckle)

- After you. - No, after you.

(sighs)

(Adelaide) Oh.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

- (Duc de Chartres) Hello. - (Marie Antoinette) Hello.

(hinges creaking)

(chuckles)

"Darling Adelaide,

your blossoming figure sends shivers down my spine.

Sweet Victoire, your toes are irresistible.

I long to... lick them one by one"?

Naughty, naughty, Mesdames.

(all speaking indistinctly)

(clears throat)

- She's a sensitive flower. - How charming.

Quiet.

- She's terrified of me. - You know she doesn't like men.

(Duc de Chartres) She doesn't have to hate them either.

- Chartres. - (Adelaide) Antoinette.

(chuckling) Sorry.

He is the King.

- Not so you'd notice. - (lady gasps)

Thank you.

Now that I have put all of Papa Roi's affairs in order,

I'm... I'm ready to announce

my first ministerial appointment.

(Beaumarchais) Chartres, who would have thought.

I've decided upon Maurepas.

(gasps, sighs)

Maurepas?

France's interests must come first.

- (Adelaide) Good boy. - (Victoire) Good boy.

He will make an excellent Prime Minister.

He won't be my Prime Minister.

Who will be?

Me.

You? (chuckles) Wha...

What's he going to do?

- Clean up after you? - (clicks tongue) Ah!

Maurepas will be my mentor.

He will advise, I will decide.

What about me?

When are you going to appoint me to the council?

I will discuss it with Maurepas.

- (Victoire) Excellent. - (Adelaide) Excellent.

Your father would have applauded you working together.

God rest his soul.

How could you?

- Leave her, Chartres. - She'll get over it.

She has no choice. (chuckles softly)

(Marie Antoinette) I'm taking this.

(muttering)

This, can you wrap this up for me please?

(indistinct)

Wha... wha... what are you doing?

I'm leaving.

(breathing shakily) Please don't go, Toinette.

Oh, don't worry, you're coming with me.

But I... But I can't leave Versailles without permission.

You have my permission.

So, this, this is not coming with us.

Ah, we can't stay here, Toinette.

Protocol requires you to live with the King.

(Marie Antoinette) I'm done with protocol.

That's better.

No rules will operate here.

- Come on. - Your Majesty.

I'm not Your Majesty. I'm me.

- Yes, Me. - (chuckles)

Come on.

It's a pity you aren't staying.

You're the only one she might have listened to.

I wish I could.

It would be rather pleasant

to join her at the Petit Trianon.

(inaudible)

(woman) What is it?

- Open it. What does it say? - (woman) What is it?

Gosh, no.

I can't tell you. No, no! Sorry. (chuckling)

(women exclaiming)

"She opens her legs to her lovers in public..."

"but not to her King in private."

(all laughing)

Very good.

(clears throat)

"A mulatto enjoys penetrating her mind and..."

- Stop! - Continue.

- (gasps) - "...her pussy"?

(all laugh)

(shrieks)

Milk?

I'd rather have a double brandy.

They're all over Versailles. Look at them.

I had no idea there were so many.

You have travelled into dangerous territory.

Everywhere you turn, you have made enemies.

You have even made an enemy of your strongest supporter.

- You have to go back. - I have to go back?

What for?

I'm not a wife, I'm not a mother,

and now there's no need for me to deliver the Dauphin

because Josephine will do that for me.

The King has ordered you to return to Versailles.

His word is the law, even you must obey it.

I urge you to take this opportunity

to move into Madame du Barry's old apartment

where you will be close to your husband.

- Sire. - (Louis-Auguste) Thank you.

(gasps, breathing shakily)

(clears throat) Could you please close the door?

I can close it myself.

Bastard.

(both laughing)

It's peppermint, right?

You are good.

- Camomile. - (Yolande) You are too good.

What...

(gasps) Oh, God.

- But you're no country girl. - Stop that.

- Stop it. Stop it, stop it! - (Yolande laughing)

It's disgusting! There you are, Lamballe.

(laughing)

(Marie Antoinette) Have you been introduced?

We have bumped into each other once or twice.

I believe you're related to Maurepas.

Isn't he your uncle?

Maurepas?

(Yolande chuckles)

He is related to my husband.

I don't hang out with geriatrics.

(both laugh)

(Marie Antoinette) Neither do I.

Why don't... Can't you just come and stay at the chateau?

If you were there, I'd be...

tempted, very tempted to go back.

Ah.

Did you notice my companions at the park?

Yes. (clears throat)

Yes, we did.

We travel as a threesome.

We will find you something.

Wont we, Lamballe? A comfortable apartment.

So, are you really gonna make the Queen of France bag?

- (Yolande) Yes, I am. (laughs) - (laughs)

No, this won't do.

Can't you show me something bigger?

You'll have to speak to the superintendent.

She chose it for you.

I think I'll go straight to the top.

(horse snorts)

(Victoire) Here she comes.

- Poor thing. - (chuckling)

(breathes deeply)

(horse neighing)

He has agreed to talk to you this evening.

Don't squander this opportunity.

It may be your last.

Tell you what, sir, if you don't catch this one,

next time I'll throw my wife at you...

- (all exclaim) - (chuckles)

but you're too heavy for that.

- Your wife is glowing, Monsieur. - Isn't she just?

I'm surprised you allow madam to leave her bedchamber

while she's protecting the crown jewels.

- Madam can speak for herself. - Can she?

How are you, Madam?

- No, she can't. - (laughs)

She won't speak to charlatans.

Oh, charlatans, is that what we are?

He is defiling the reputation of the crown.

Careful, if you provoke Saint-Georges,

he may challenge you to a duel.

He shouldn't be here.

I think he's looking for a fight.

- You're right. - Should I accept the challenge?

Yes, I think you should.

Come on, Monsieur.

I'll be gentle.

- Boo! - (all laughing)

(screams)

(Provence) I'm going to summon the guards!

You'll be thrown out!

- He spoke to me. - You won.

(Josephine screaming, groaning)

(groaning in distance)

(grunts)

(Josephine groaning)

(Josephine) Ouch!

(groaning)

(Provence) Jesus Christ! Why are you slashing your thigh?

(Josephine) I just delivered your baby.

Oh! I feel sick.

- Catch! - (gasps)

(Provence) Well, what do I do with that?

(Josephine) Bury it!

(Louis-Auguste) I never intended for you to live there.

- Consider your position! - (Marie Antoinette) What position?

When I'm here, you don't want to see me,

no, you won't even speak to me, and when you do speak to me,

you humiliate me in front of your family.

- I was trying to protect you. - Me?

You were protecting yourself

from those old maids who treat you like a little poodle.

No, no, it was... it was my decision to appoint Maurepas.

(laughs)

(sniffles) You have never made a decision

in your whole life, Louis.

Don't talk to me like that, Madam.

- I am your husband. - Oh, are you?

(sobbing) Doesn't a husband touch his wife,

share his bed with her, kiss her, make love to her?

What sort of a husband are you?

(yelps)

Louis. No. Not like this.

No. No, stop. No. Stop. Stop, stop! Stop, no!

(groaning, sobbing) No! No!

(grunts)

(panting)

This isn't working, is it?

(Marie Antoinette sobbing) No, please. Please, don't go.

(door opens)

(Beaumarchais) A fresh batch of doves.

I haven't found out who is behind them yet,

but I did discover something on my travels.

What?

Madam's pregnancy...

It must have been very hard for her.

There was no baby.

Uh...

(stuttering) Does my brother know?

He was with her when she suffered her miscarriage.

Tell no-one, Beaumarchais.

Of course not.

Sire, I am your spy.

(inhales, exhales)

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I am here for you if you need me.

(Maurepas)I'm sorry to hear about Josephine,

but this is your opportunity to seize the reins, my boy.

Much better if you father the Dauphin.

My wife and I... we are not suited to one another.

(sighs)

The crown is not secure without a Bourbon heir.

If you can't impregnate the Queen,

perhaps you should end your marriage.

I think she would prefer that.

I will speak to Count Mercy.

(Count Mercy)We have moved into perilous waters.

I urge you to come to Versailles.

Your daughter has become a threat to our alliance.

There is talk of a divorce.

I've asked the Empress to come.

We have no choice.

Your mother is the only one who may be able to save you.

(door opens, closes)

(sobbing)

(Yolande) What's wrong?

Come here. Tell me, what happened?

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