Who is accused of stealing the Queen of Hearts' tarts?

Who is accused of stealing the Queen of Hearts’ tarts? The Knave of Hearts.

In the courtroom episode of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the Knave of Hearts is accused of stealing the Queen of Hearts’ tarts. The accusation is introduced through the familiar nursery rhyme: “The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts, all on a summer’s day; the Knave of Hearts, he stole those tarts, and took them quite away.”

The trial is one of Carroll’s clearest parodies of legal procedure. The King of Hearts acts as judge, the White Rabbit serves as herald, and witnesses are called even though the proceedings become increasingly irrational. Alice is present as the case unfolds and gradually grows more confident in challenging Wonderland’s authority.

The accusation does not lead to a sensible investigation. Evidence is treated absurdly, testimony is confused, and the Queen repeatedly demands executions. Alice eventually rejects the court’s nonsense, declaring that the assembled figures are only a pack of cards. The Knave is therefore the accused party, not the King, Rabbit, or Mad Hatter.