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Maria Theresa was a serious and reserved child who enjoyed singing and archery.

She was barred from horse riding by her father, but she would later learn the basics for the sake of her Hungarian coronation ceremony.

The imperial family staged opera productions, often conducted by Charles VI, in which she relished participating.

Her education was overseen by Jesuits.

Contemporaries thought her Latin to be quite good, but in all else, the Jesuits did not educate her well.

Her spelling and punctuation were unconventional and she lacked the formal manner and speech which had characterised her Habsburg predecessors.

Maria Theresa developed a close relationship with Countess Marie Karoline von Fuchs-Mollard, who taught her etiquette.

She was educated in drawing, painting, music and dancing – the disciplines which would have prepared her for the role of queen consort.

Her father allowed her to attend meetings of the council from the age of 14 but never discussed the affairs of state with her.

Even though he had spent the last decades of his life securing Maria Theresa's inheritance, Charles always expected a son and never prepared his daughter for her future role as sovereign.