The Ball of Ifs took place in February. It was given on the occasion of the marriage of Louis XV’s son, dressed as a gardener, and the Marie-Therese of Spain, a flower girl. Ifs or Cypresses were the costumes chosen by Louis XV for himself and his seven courtiers. You needed no invitations for everyone was welcome at Versailles. Young beauties flocked to the event, ha-ha! for the place of the king’s favorite had been vacant for some time. The word got out that His Majesty happened to be decorated as a Christmas tree; and the evergreens were scoring that night! The confusion was royal: Some of the girls were taken to the Small Apartments, i.e. the royal bedroom! Meanwhile the king, as we all know today, was peacefully chatting with the future Madame Pompadour….
Versailles Gossip 