The phrase "Let them eat cake," often attributed to Marie Antoinette, was supposedly spoken by the French queen in response to reports of widespread famine among the impoverished populace. Although there is debate about the authenticity of the quote, it reflects the disconnect between the royalty and the struggles of the common people during the pre-revolutionary period in France. This expression encapsulated the perceived indifference of the monarchy towards the plight of the starving masses and contributed to growing discontent that eventually led to the French Revolution in 1789, marking a dramatic shift in power dynamics in France.