As the Dauphine stepped out of her carriage on to the ceremonial carpet that had been laid down, it was the Duc de Choiseul who was given the privilege of the first salute. Presented with the Duc by Prince Starhemberg, Marie Antoinette exclaimed: 'I shall never forget that you are responsible for my happiness!

I realize that I had always in my heart of hearts planned to write a biography of Marie Antoinette.

If I write that it was a cold day, you can be sure I know it was a cold day because Pepys told us.

Of course there's no such thing as a totally objective person, except Almighty God, if she exists.

I'm very interested in good and evil and the moral natures of people.

King Charles II liked women's company and well as making love to them.

The concentration in my book on Marie Antoinette's childhood and on her family influences. It is surprising how some books actually start with her arrival in France!