Video - The Diamond Necklace Scandal

In 1785 France, jewelers Boehmer and Bassenge crafted a dazzling diamond necklace for Madame du Barry. After King Louis XV’s death, they offered it to Queen Marie Antoinette, who declined. Jeanne de La Motte, a schemer, convinced Cardinal de Rohan that the queen secretly desired the necklace. Jeanne arranged a fake midnight meeting in Versailles' gardens with an imposter posing as the queen. Believing he was in the queen's favor, the cardinal bought the necklace and handed it to Jeanne, who sold the diamonds. When the jewelers demanded payment, the scheme unraveled. Cardinal de Rohan was arrested, and Jeanne was exposed. Though Marie Antoinette was innocent, the public believed the worst, fanning revolutionary flames. The affair became a symbol of royal excess and deceit, hastening the downfall of the French monarchy.