The homeless woman who was mocked in a Vogue editor's 'cruel' Instagram post that caused a storm around the world today hit back at the fashionista German princess, saying her situation is 'no joke', reports MailOnline.
Huddling inside her thick winter coat with a blanket over her lap, Maryse Dumas, said: 'It's not nice taking pictures of people living on the street, that not polite', adding: 'It's no joke being destitute, living on the street.
'Look at me surrounded by all this rubbish, it's ugly. It's hard living on the street. It's cold at night and if you can't sleep you get ill. My legs hurt and I'm losing my teeth.'
Vogue editor-at-large Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis posted a picture of Miss Dumas reading a copy of the fashion magazine on Instagram on Saturday.
The princess accompanied the photograph with the caption; 'Paris is full of surprises and @voguemagazine readers even in unexpected corners!'
She was almost immediately hit with a barrage of criticism, with Instagram users describing the photo as 'cruel' and 'tasteless'.
Surrounded by plastic bags, cardboard boxes and suitcases, the 65-year-old spends her days looking at colourful pictures and drawing, as the rich and famous walk past her on the street in central Paris that is her home.
Confused but good-natured, Miss Dumas said she had picked up the fashion magazine as she liked the colours.
She told MailOnline: 'I like colours. I liked that Vogue magazine because of the colours. But I don't have it any more. Once I've read something I throw it away. I like colouring as well.'
She added: 'I don't remember a young woman taking my picture – let alone a princess.'
A long-standing member of Paris' homeless community Miss Dumas has lived on the streets for as long as anyone can remember.
A spokeswoman for the homeless charity, Emmaus, told MailOnline: 'Maryse has been living on the streets for a long time. She is bit confused but she is friendly. We do our best for her and we know her well.'
Miss Dumas says she does not know how long she has been on the street.
She told MailOnline: 'I have been here for a while, I don't know how long. I found this place one night and I have been ever since'.
The old lady has become such a permanent fixture on the road where she beds down that other homeless people leave their belongings with her.
Miss Dumas told MailOnline: 'I'm always here. Other people on the street leave their stuff with me to look after. I live in Paris now but I don't know where I grew up.
'I know I'm not married and that I don't have any children but I don't know if my parents are still alive. I'm all alone.'
Miss Dumas says she makes ends meet the hand outs she receives from passers-by.
She told MailOnline: 'I survive from the donations that I get from people walking by. They are not my friends, just people who walk past and take pity on me. I get help from charities as well, like Emmaus, they look out for me.'
Miss Dumas' pitiful existence, is a far cry from the luxurious lifestyle of 32-year-old Princess Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis.
Known as TNT – the initials from her surname Thurn und Taxis – is based in London and has been writing as a style editor-at-large for Vogue since 2012.
Arriving in the French capital on Friday night the princess has enjoyed the splendour of Paris fashion week, while Maryse Dumas has bedded down for the night on the cold pavement outside.
Alighting from the first class carriage of the Eurostar train from London von Thurn und Taxis was picked up by a waiting motorbike taxi – to beat the rush hour traffic – to make it to the Dior fashion show.
The princess has been styled by top professionals, including celebrity hairdresser David Mallett, who she has thanked for 'turning my Eurostar mess into a look'.