Queen Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France, faced her fate during the French Revolution after a turbulent reign and a life marred by political and personal turmoil. Following the monarchy's fall in 1789, she was arrested along with her family in June 1791 after an ill-fated escape attempt. The trial against her began in October 1793, presided over by the National Convention. Accusations included not only treason but also false claims of collaborating with foreign enemies and accusations of misconduct, particularly surrounding her role in the extravagant spending that characterized her lifestyle. During the trial, she remained dignified and refused to admit to wrongdoing. Despite her eloquence, she was declared guilty in a matter of hours due to the prevailing revolutionary fervor and anti-monarchist sentiment.

On October 16, she was taken to the Place de la Révolution in Paris. Thousands lined the streets to witness the execution, which was carried out using the guillotine, a symbol of revolutionary justice. Marie Antoinette's last words were reportedly addressed to the executioner, as she accidentally stepped on his foot. The execution was seen as a culmination of the revolution's radical phase, where the ruling class was subjected to the same severe measures as the common people had faced under monarchy. Her death marked a significant turning point in French history, stripping the monarchy of its final vestiges and solidifying the revolutionary government's power.