Louis XVII

Louis XVII (27 March 1785 – 8 June 1795) was born as Louis-Charles, the second son of King Louis XVI of France and Queen Marie Antoinette. When his older brother, Louis Joseph, passed away in 1789, Louis-Charles became the Dauphin of France. His youth was marred by the political turmoil and the eventual downfall of the French monarchy during the French Revolution.

Following the arrest and subsequent imprisonment of the royal family in August 1792, Louis-Charles was confined in the Temple, a medieval fortress in Paris. After the execution of his father, King Louis XVI, on 21 January 1793, royalists recognized Louis-Charles as Louis XVII. However, he never ruled or exercised any power.

During his captivity, Louis-Charles faced harsh conditions. In July 1793, authorities decided to separate him from his mother (Marie Antoinette) and sister (Marie-Thérèse-Charlotte). He was handed over to Antoine Simon, a cobbler appointed to act as his guardian. Simon subjected the young prince to neglect and possible abuse, which contributed to his deteriorating health. The conditions of his imprisonment were severe, leading him to live in isolation and suffering from malnutrition and unsanitary conditions.

Marie Antoinette was executed on 16 October 1793, leaving Louis-Charles and his sister as the sole surviving members of the immediate royal family. The boy's life continued in its miserable state, and despite occasional efforts from royalist sympathizers to secure his release, he remained captive.

Louis XVII’s health progressively worsened, and he succumbed to tuberculosis on 8 June 1795 at the age of ten. His death prompted various rumors and conspiracy theories, with some royalists believing that he had been secretly rescued and replaced with another child. Despite these claims, the official accounts and subsequent investigations confirmed the death of Louis-Charles.

The brief, tragic life of Louis XVII represents the immense suffering endured by the royal family during the French Revolution and symbolizes the end of the Bourbon monarchy in France. His story has since become embedded in the broader narrative of the Revolution, emphasizing the profound impact of the era on the French royal lineage.

• Louis XVII was never officially crowned as king; he was the son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, born on 27 March 1785, and became a symbol of the monarchy's downfall.
• At just eight years old, Louis XVII was imprisoned in the Temple prison (a former fortress in Paris) after the monarchy was abolished in 1792, and he died there in 1795 amid harsh conditions.
• Despite being recognized as king by royalists and supporters, he was referred to simply as 'Louis XVII' posthumously, as his father was executed, leading to the debate over his legitimacy.
• Historians believe that Louis XVII suffered significant psychological trauma during his imprisonment; his isolation and treatment contributed to his fragile health.
• Louis XVII's death at the young age of 10 was shrouded in controversy; only a few months after his passing, there were claims of imposters surfacing who purported to be him, fueling myths around his fate.