Louis XVI was born on August 23, 1754, and became King of France on May 10, 1774, following the death of his grandfather, King Louis XV. At just 20 years old, he was relatively inexperienced in governance, having spent his formative years raised under the shadow of a powerful grandfather. His wife, Marie Antoinette, was born on November 2, 1755, in Vienna, and was the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresa. She married Louis XVI in 1770 as part of a diplomatic alliance between France and Austria. Upon the death of Louis XV, the royal couple's ascension was marked with ceremonial grandeur at the Reims Cathedral, where the traditional coronation rituals took place, underscoring their royal legitimacy. The ceremony included extravagant displays of wealth, such as fine robes and gold crown jewels, meant to impress the attending nobility and reaffirm the monarchy's divine right to rule.

Despite the lavish celebrations, the new king faced significant challenges as he inherited a state burdened with debt from prior wars and extravagant spending. Reforms were necessary, yet Louis XVI’s initial reluctance to address these fiscal issues would lead to widespread dissatisfaction among the populace. Meanwhile, Marie Antoinette faced criticism for her perceived extravagance, earning her a reputation that would follow her throughout her life. Together, they would navigate a tense political landscape, setting the stage for the eventual upheaval that would characterize their reign.