The Mitochondrial DNA Mitotype of Louis XVII (1785-1795?)

We have obtained mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences from Louis XVII’s (1785-1795?) hairs : he was the son of the King of France, Louis XVI (1754-1793) and of Queen Marie-Antoinette (1755-1793). The authenticity of the hairs, which were kept in a medallion, is established by optic and electronic microscopy. Sequences of the hypervariable region 2(HVR2) of mtDNA (extracted from two different hairs) show four mutations : 152C, 194T, 263G and 315.1C. The corresponding mtDNA haplogroup is sub-haplogroup H2. As Marie-Antoinette had the same combination of HVR2 mutations, this confirms that Louis XVII is her son.