The phrase "Let them eat cake" is famously, though incorrectly, attributed to Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France during the late 18th century. This statement is often cited in the context of her perceived insensitivity to the plight of the French peasants, who were suffering from famine and poverty. While there is no evidence that she actually uttered this phrase, it reflects the disconnect between the monarchy and the common people during a time of social unrest. This perception contributed to her unpopularity and served as a symbol of the excesses of the French aristocracy, leading to her eventual downfall during the French Revolution.