it's been snowing all night!" cried
i antoine' the youngest Archduchess of Austria, . she pulled back the heavy, embroidered curtains.
Let's throw some snowballs before breakfast." said her sister charlotte excitedly
mother's meeting a spanish diplomat this morning she won't even notice we've gone
They quickly dressed i warm furs and run down the castle stairs
the sisters were inseparable their real name were maria carolina and marie antoinette' but everyone called their charlotte and antonie. they spent their days dancing' playing music and racing around the gardens of their three royal castles.
their only worry was pleasing their mother' empress maria theresa luckily with four sons' seven daughters and an time to spare. they only really saw her at dinners and concerts, when they had to dress tidily and behave like adults.
musicians came from all over europe to entertain the austrian royal family.
who's playing tonight? antoine asked her governess' early one morning.
his name is mozart' replied the governess' and he's achild genius!
when mozart arrived, the sisters stifled a giggle he was only six' the same age as antonie. but as soon as his fingers touched the keyboard, the girls were spellbound.
bravo! cried their father, emperor francis,
when mozart finished. the young boy jumped up, bowed, run to empress and sat on her lap. it was such a funny sight,
antoine and charlotte couldn't help giggling again
when the empress wasn't listening to music or working, she was busy arranging marriages for her children.
i think mother's found another wife for joseph, whispered charlotte, one afternoon in the brother anf heir to the austrian empire. the whole family had been upset when his first wife died giving birth to a daughter. why would he want to get married again? asked Antoine.
Well, mother says he needs a son.. the two giris loved discussing other people's lives. one day, they would have to marry as well, but that seemed a long way off besides, their older sisters would need husbands first.
joseph's second wedding was a magnificent occasion.
the composer gluck had written written a musical specially, with parts for antoine's older brothers and sisters. when the applause died down, the younger children came on stage to dance in a ballet about love antoine held a crook and played the role of a shepherdess. she stood very straight and kept her chim raised, just as her dance teacher had taught her
when the empress wasn’t listening to music or working she was busy arranging marriages for her children. think, mother’s found another wife for joseph, whispered charlotte, one afternoon in the garden. Joseph was their eldest brother and heir to the Austrian empire. The whole family had been upset when his first wife died giving birth to a daughter. Why would he want to get married again? Asked Antoine. Well, mother says he needs a son… the two girls loved discussing other people’s lives. One day, they would a long way off besides, their older sisters would need husbands first. Joseph’s second wedding was a magnificent occasion. The composer Gluck had written a music specially with parts for Antoine’s older brothers and sisters. When the applause died down, the younger children came on stage to dance in a ballet about love. Antoine held a crook and played the role of a shepherdess. She stood very straight and kept her chin raised, just as her dance teacher had taught her. Fortunately for Antoine, dancing music and embroidery-the things she liked most-were crucial to a royal upbringing. If you can dance sing and sew, said her governess, you are sure to impress your future husband. Antoine loved her governess. She was a kind and gentle teacher. And she knew Antoine struggled with reading and writing so she made those lessons extra short. But one morning the governess appeared very nervous. The empress wants to see some of your writing, she said. So …I’ve…er … written some words on a page. You even tracing was hard work, but at least it would keep her mother happy. The first of Antoine ’ s sisters to marry and move away was Marie Christine, known at home as Mimi. She was a bossy annoying older sister, and charlotte and Antoine were glad to see her go. But their mother was in tears. Mimi was her dearest daughter and she would miss her deeply. Our governess says mother let Mimi marry for love, whispered charlotte, as they watched mimi drive away. She says mother married for love too!
The following year, Antoine ‘s father died suddenly, plunging the royal family into mourning the empress was inconsolable she immersed herself in work for her empire and wore nothing but black for the rest of her life. For Antoine now eleven life was about to get worse. Her sister josepha was due to marry Ferdinand of naples , the king of spain’s son the deal was already signed and sealed when josepha caught smallpox and died. Amidst the shock and sadness charlotte burst into antoine’s room. I can’t bear it! She cried tears staining her cheeks. Mother said the staining her king of spain could choose another bride for his son, and he’s chosen me! Antoine stared at her sister in horror. She hated being away from her beloved charlotte for even a ambitious plans were to separate the two sister’ maybe forever.