six o'clock in the morning
Princess Lamballe and Madame Tourzel brought up the rear . It was done . The dying monarchy left the royal palace to put itself under the protection of the revolution , which was soon to give birth to the republic . It was six o'clock in the morning when the royal family crossed the threshold of the Tuileries -- in front the king , conducting Princess Elizabeth on his arm , behind him the queen with the two children . Before leaving the palace , the king received tidings that a part of the National Guard had withdrawn , in order to protect their families and their property from an attack of the populace , and that another part had declared , itself against the king and in favor of the revolution . Louis made his way through the seething crowd that scarcely opened to allow a free passage for the royal family , and overwhelmed them with curses , insults , and abuse . Some members of the National Assembly went in advance , and could themselves scarcely control the raging waves of popular fury .