Marie Antoinette has long remained one of the most intriguing figures in history. People continue to be fascinated by the tragic Queen of France who was held up as a symbol of everything wrong with the country as it descended into revolution.

However, her childhood was not that different from many of ours – she was close to her siblings, hated her lessons and loved her pet dog. But did you know that she also went through one of the most unpopular parts of our modern childhoods? 

Archduchess Maria Antonia (as she was known in Austria) was officially engaged to the heir to the French throne in 1770. Before this happened, she was forced to go through an entire physical makeover, including braces. Yes, the queen from the eighteenth century had to suffer through braces for straighter teeth. 

Although she was considered to be a great beauty, even as a child, the Austrian archduchess had less than ideal teeth. Dentist Pierre Laveran was summoned to help fix her teeth, and that he did… with significant pain. 

Using a primitive form of orthodontics, Laveran put Fauchard’s Bandeau on Maria Antonia’ teeth: a horseshoe-shaped brace that was slowly tightened. While it did straighten her teeth, it would have been extremely painful for the young teenager. And this was done while she was learning the French language, court etiquette, dancing, and more. 

Yes, the French queen was known as a great beauty, but she faced much of the same pain we do to get there.