John Preston

The queen, the cardinal and the greatest con France ever saw

A review of How to Ruin a Queen: Marie Antoinette, the Stolen Diamonds and the Scandal that Shook the French Throne, by Jonathan Beckman. There’s verve and swagger a-plenty in this fascinating story

‘Jeanne arranged for a Marie Antoniette lookalike to linger coyly in the undergrowth in the park at Versailles’ [Getty Images/Shutterstock/iStock/Alamy]
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  • How to Ruin a Queen: Marie Antoinette, the Stolen Diamonds and the Scandal that Shook the French Throne

    Jonathan Beckman

    John Murray, pp. 386

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