Last words of royals throughout history

From Marie Antoinette's immortal "let them eat cake" to Queen Victoria's infamous "we are not amused," some of history's most notable royal figures haven't been ones to mince their words. When it came to their final moments, were their last utterances fit for a king or queen? In some cases, their final words were just as memorable as their reigns, offering insight into their psyche. In others, they were more mundane or simply reflective of the frailty of the human experience, reminding us that even royalty faces the same end as everyone else.

So, if you'd like to find out the famous last words of royals before they died, click through this gallery now.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassination attempt

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was chaotic. Serbian radicals aimed to bomb the royal during his visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Franz swatted the bomb away to protect his wife, but the explosion injured bystanders.

Mary, Queen of Scots

In the late 1500s, Mary, Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I of England were rivals, even though they were first cousins once removed. After a combination of political and personal crises, Mary fled to England where she was imprisoned by Elizabeth.

Mary, Queen of Scots' famous last words

Mary faced her death bravely and tried to get the event over with quickly, repeating "In manus, Domine, tuas commendo animam meam" or "O Lord, into Thy hands I commend my spirit." 

George V's famous last words

According to the palace, George V's famous last words were "How's the Empire?" but in a private journal, the king's physician wrote that George V's last words were "God damn you."

Joachim Murat, King of Naples' famous last words

Found guilty of attempting to stage an insurrection in Naples, Murat was sentenced to death by firing squad. Allegedly, he refused a blindfold, turned to the firing squad, and said, "Save my face; aim at my heart."

Empress Dowager Cixi

Despite never officially ruling as an empress, Dowager Cixi effectively controlled the Qing government for decades through her regency and held on to her power until her death in 1908.

Louis XIV

Louis XIV, also known as Louis the Great, was King of France from 1643 to 1715. His reign is one of the longest in European history, lasting 72 years. 

Elisabeth, Empress of Austria

Elisabeth, Empress of Austria, commonly known as Sisi, was the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria and became Queen of Hungary in 1867, holding the title until her assassination in 1898.

Elisabeth, Empress of Austria's famous last words

While she was waiting to board a ship, Luigi Luccheni stabbed Elisabeth in the chest. After seeing the blood on her clothes she asked, bewildered, "What has happened?" She then lost consciousness and died a few hours later.

George IV's famous last words

George IV's death was long and drawn out and if his last words are anything to go by, his doctors downplayed just how dire the king's situation was. On June 26, he suddenly woke up after sleeping for 24 hours and shouted, "This is death. Oh God, they have deceived me," then died.

Marie Antoinette's famous last words

In 1793, Marie Antoinette was tried and found guilty of treason. She was executed by guillotine on October 16. Moments before her death, she accidentally stepped on the executioner's foot and reportedly said her final words: "Pardon me, sir, I did not do it on purpose."

Peter I, Tsar of Russia's famous last words

Peter the Great died on February 8, 1725. He succumbed to a urinary tract infection that developed into sepsis. It is reported that he called out "Anna"—his daughter’s name—before losing consciousness and dying.

Queen Victoria's famous last words

Queen Victoria died on January 22, 1901, at the age of 81. Her death was attributed to a combination of old age and the effects of a prolonged illness. Her final word was said to be "Bertie," which was understood to refer to Prince Albert, her husband, who had died 40 years earlier.

Henry VIII's famous last words

Henry VIII's health declined significantly over the years, and as his death approached, he was asked whether he wanted to see Archbishop Thomas Cranmer for his last confession. He responded, "I will first take a little sleep, and then, as I feel myself, I will advise upon the matter." He died shortly thereafter.