The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word VIENNESE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
V
I
E
N
N
E
S
E
More clues leading to the result VIENNESE
- Leading couples in vigorous energetic new set? Capital people!
- Like some waltzing couples starting vigorous energetic new sequence
- From capital city in France, runs away during struggle
- Seven dances, including one short measure typical of Strauss
- Queen finally seen off after struggle, as was Marie Antoinette
- Like Schubert’s rocking “Seven” in E
- Against that is two different notes and a couple of directions for a sort of waltz
- Like Strauss, say, new in, seen batting after struggle
- Finally, one in seven could be from a capital
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "as was Marie Antoinette" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case as was marie antoinette = viennese.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.