The phrase "Let them eat cake" is often attributed to Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France during the French Revolution. Although there is little historical evidence that she actually said this, it symbolizes the contempt and disconnect of the French monarchy from the struggles of the common people. This phrase came to represent the perceived indifference of the elite towards the plight of the impoverished, especially during a time of widespread famine and economic crisis. It encapsulates the growing discontent that ultimately led to the French Revolution in 1789, where the demand for equality and social justice became paramount.