From 1784 to 1786, the affair over the Queen’s necklace was a misdeed orchestrated by Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy and several accomplices. Their objective was to steal a necklace worth 2,842 carats, valued at nearly 1.6 million pounds, and then sell the diamonds. The scam was devised through an intermediary, Cardinal de Rohan, who believed he was acting on behalf of Queen Marie Antoinette. The queen herself was in no way involved, but her reputation suffered due to the incident of the missing jewel.
Where and When Did the Affair of the Diamond Necklace Take Place?
The Affair of the Diamond Necklace, spanning from 1784 to 1786, unfolded at the French court and stands as one of the most significant scams involving royalty. Initially, the purchase of the diamond necklace was conducted through official channels. However, Queen Marie Antoinette rejected the necklace. Subsequently, the Countess de La Motte (Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy) devised a plan to capitalize on the sale. Louis XVI became aware of the affair on August 14, 1785.
—>Jeanne de la Motte convinced Cardinal de Rohan that she had the Queen’s support and that he could purchase the expensive diamond necklace on her behalf. She used forged letters and deceit to manipulate him.
What Was the Story Behind This Necklace?
The affair of the Queen’s Necklace had its origins in 1772 with a commission from Louis XV, who intended to gift Madame du Barry. He enlisted the renowned German jewelers Paul Bassenge and Charles Böhmer. Louis XV passed away two years later, and Madame du Barry faced exile. The necklace was completed in 1778. It is a unique piece weighing 2,842 carats with an initial value of 2 million pounds, later reduced to 1.6 million pounds. For reference, its current value would exceed 27 million euros.
Upon completing their work, the jewelers offered it to Louis XVI for Marie Antoinette. However, she declined the gift, citing other pressing expenses for the Crown and expressing her infrequent use of such adornments. Charles Auguste Boehmer and Paul Bassenge then approached other courts, including England, Spain, and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. In 1781, they made another unsuccessful attempt to persuade the Queen of France.
Who’s Behind the Scam?
To better grasp the affair of the Queen’s necklace and the role of each protagonist, here is a summary of the different participants:
- Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy: The Countess de La Motte had a noble lineage, but her family was destitute. As the mastermind, she conceived the fraud to gain financial profit.
- Nicolas de La Motte: The husband of Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy is an accomplice to his wife. After the diamonds were unset, he seizes the finest pieces and sells them to London jewelers.
- Louis Marc Antoine Rétaux de Villette: The lover of Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy, he forges letters mimicking the signature and handwriting of Queen Marie Antoinette. A crucial element in convincing Cardinal de Rohan.
- Nicole Le Guay: The Baroness d’Oliva is a courtesan who offers her services in the gardens of the Palais-Royal. The La Motte couple approaches her for her resemblance to Marie Antoinette. She plays the role of the false queen who meets Cardinal de Rohan.
- Count de Cagliostro: Joseph Balsamo is considered an accomplice. He contributes to convincing Cardinal de Rohan during a séance of spiritualism, invoking spirits to deliver an oracle favorable to the cardinal.
- Cardinal de Rohan: Grand Almoner of France, he is the target of the fraudsters as he seeks to regain the favor of the queen. He becomes the guarantor for the diamond river transaction.
- Queen Marie Antoinette: A victim of the Queen’s necklace affair, her image is used to deceive Cardinal de Rohan. However, it is attested that Marie Antoinette was not involved in any way. Nonetheless, her reputation was tarnished during the trial.
—>Cardinal de Rohan was duped into believing that he had the Queen’s favor and could purchase a diamond necklace on her behalf. In reality, Marie Antoinette had no knowledge of the necklace or the transaction.
How Did the Affair With the Queen’s Necklace Come About?
The Queen’s Necklace Affair revolved around the possibility of executing this expensive transaction through an intermediary. This would help avoid a potential scandal in the complex economic and social context of the French Crown. Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy devised a scheme to deceive Cardinal de Rohan, who aimed to regain the favor of the queen and took the initiative to act as the intermediary for the purchase of the diamond necklace.
To convince him, Countess de La Motte enlisted Louis Marc Antoine Rétaux de Villette to compose fake letters in the name of Marie Antoinette. This correspondence, intended to build his trust, granted full authority to the cardinal to proceed with the transaction. Leveraging her resemblance to Marie Antoinette, the courtesan Nicole Le Guay met him, posing as the queen. Finally, Count de Cagliostro perfected the illusion with a séance of spiritualism, during which spirits addressed Cardinal de Rohan.
The cardinal requested that Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy locate the diamond necklace. With the scammers in possession of the necklace, they dismantled it to sell the finest diamonds in London. Meanwhile, German jewelers awaited the first installment, which did not arrive. As Countess de La Motte tried to buy time, Charles Böhmer contacted Marie Antoinette’s chambermaid, Madame Campan, who informed the queen of the affair. The king uncovered the deception on August 14, 1785, notably through the investigations of Baron de Breteuil.
How Did the Trial Go?
The trial of the Affair of the Diamond Necklace occurred on May 22, 1786. It transpired before 64 magistrates of the Parliament of Paris and garnered close attention from the public. Cardinal de Rohan initiated the proceedings. In fact, Louis XVI presented him with the option of facing the king’s judgment in private or undergoing a public trial. After eight days, the latter option resulted in deliberations. Cardinal de Rohan was acquitted of all charges. He pledged to reimburse a portion of the necklace’s value.
Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy was sentenced to life imprisonment after being whipped and branded with a “V” (for thief). Nicolas de la Motte was sentenced in absentia to perpetual galley servitude. Louis Marc Antoine Rétaux de Villette was banished and compelled to exile in Venice. Nicole Le Guay was exonerated. After being incarcerated in the Bastille, Count de Cagliostro was expelled from France. He was spotted in England, Switzerland, and Italy.
How Did This Affair Damage Marie Antoinette’s Popularity?
Although Marie Antoinette was not involved in the Queen’s Necklace affair, the main figure saw her reputation tarnished. The falsified correspondence implied a crime of lese-majesty between her and Cardinal de Rohan. Furthermore, public opinion is hardly in her favor, as magistrates and other detractors mention her tendency to incur excessive expenses, especially for her attire, clothing, and jewelry.
—>The Diamond Necklace scandal, along with other controversies and economic issues, contributed to the growing discontent with the monarchy. It tarnished the image of the royal court and played a part in the erosion of public support, ultimately leading to the downfall of the French monarchy during the French Revolution.
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