Martine-Gabrielle-Yoland de Polastron (1745–1793), duchesse de Polignac by Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, 1783, National Trust/Waddesdon Manor
French Queen Marie-Antoinette had two key ladies-in-waitings who were favorites, and skimming the Marie-Antoinette (1975) miniseries had me wondering how much they’ve been on screen (result: not enough!). The first was the Princesse de Lamballe, the second was Yolande Martine Gabrielle de Polastron, Duchess of Polignac (1749-93).
Gabrielle (as she was called) grew up in an aristocratic but cash-poor family. She married the Comte de Polignac in 1767, who was in a similar financial situation; they had four children.
Gabrielle was invited to Versailles by her well-placed cousin in 1775, and Queen Marie-Antoinette was instantly dazzled by her — so much so that she paid off her debts and appointed her to her household, eventually making her Governess of the Children of France. She was beautiful and had an entertaining, elegant, and charming personality, and she became the leader of the queen’s social circle. Her connection to the queen focused public ire on them both, and they were accused of being lovers (something discounted by historians).
When the Revolution broke out, Gabrielle joined her family and many aristocrats in fleeing the country. She first went to Switzerland, then Italy, then settled in Vienna. She died there in 1793 from a serious illness, probably cancer. And weirdly, no one seems to know where she is buried!
Let’s look at the Duchesse de Polignac’s many appearances on screen:
Ruth Hussey in Marie Antoinette (1938)
She’s even more background than Lamballe in this OTT biopic of the French queen.
Marina Berti in Shadow of the Guillotine (1956)
She’s SUPER background in yet another Marie-Antoinette biopic!
Corinne Le Poulain in Marie-Antoinette (1975)
Her character is more developed in this TV bio-series about the French queen.
Sue Lloyd in Lady Oscar (1979)
She frequently schemes in the background of this fictional live-action adaptation of the “Rose of Versailles” anime.
Yolande Folliot in L’été de la révolution (1989)
I haven’t seen this TV movie that focuses on the summer in which the Revolution broke out.
Claudia Cardinale in La Révolution Française (1989)
She’s mostly there to party and then leave in this French film that attempts to tell a balanced and neutral take on the French Revolution.
Rose Byrne in Marie Antoinette (2006)
She’s the bubbly, partying friend in yet another MA biopic.
Virginie Ledoyen in Farewell, My Queen (2012)
This film focuses on the few days in which the Revolution broke out and how it affected the French court. Polignac and Marie-Antoinette’s friendship is a focal point, which the film over-eroticizes. Polignac mostly comes off as a cold bitch.
Liah O’Prey in Marie Antoinette (2022)
She’s the fun new friend who’s living a lascivious threesome with her husband in lover in the recent TV bio-series.
Who’s your favorite Duchesse de Polignac on screen?
Liah O’Prey looks like an actress to keep an eye on, she’s been in several historical films and shows so far.
Just a correction about The Rose of Versailles. The movie was released before the anime, the inspiration for both works was de manga (comic) by Riyoko Ikeda.
The pink dress in The Shadow of the Guillotine pictures is soooo pretty. That last pic of the striped costume from La Revolution Francaise screams “Hello, Dolly” to me! Hilarious!