New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-19
POINTS OF ROYAL ETIQUETTE.
English Customs Governing the Relations of
the King with His Associates

The divinity that doth hedge a king expresses
Itself IN curious ways. and TO people who are
NOT accustomed 10 associating with these exalted
p-rFonsges royal etiquette is IN many points very
pUzzng. To those who meet Queen Alexandra con-
stantIy It probably does not seem strange TO nd
dress her TnaaEn. but to unaccustored ears this
uou0syIlabls does not sound quite respectful Yet.
according to THE ladies' Field" tho Queen IS ad
dressed as na'am By all the members % the upper
classes, tho term your majesty % being rarely
used except on formal occasions while the Princess
q Wales and all the priucesFes OF tho blood royal
% England addressed IN tho same way. The
King. the Prince Of wales and all the other English
princes are addressed sir Yet foreign princes
and Processes bearing the title OF Serene Highness
must not DC addressed sir maail. hut rs
prince and princess.
A letter 10 the sovereign must begin thus. HIS
Majesty the King" and below the single word.
sir" The conclusion os the letter would le
wCrdod somewhat as follows: Il have the honor 10
submit myself. your majesty's most humble and De
voted servant" etc. IN tho % "A peerless.
peers daughter. or wife Of peers son. IS GIf-
terent and "a letter might be wordeI thus: Lady
southshire, or Lady Joan We're. presents her most
respectful duty 20 the king. and hers 10 request or
hEmbly 20 Inquire" etc. 4 letter 10 the Prince OF
Wales should begin thus: TO His Royal Hlganess
the Prince OF Wales." on lower line sir and
then the letter would be proceeded with Il should
be ended: 81 remain your royal hlEhuees's most
GutifuI and o5cLient servant" etc A letter 10
royal princess should be wordcd IN the same style
Another curious biz OF royal etiquette provides
according To the authority first quoted, that when
members OF the royal family are present at a din
ner finger glasses must be supplied for their use
az dessert but not Tor the other guests.
when tho King and Queen play bridge or any
other round game money fresh from the Mint must
be provided, and when any member Of tho reigning
family jous On a game o. cards new money IS
usually supplied
Invitations from the sovereign. as nearly every
one knows. commands. and must be treated
such Only the death OF a near relative. serious
Illness or compulsory absence from England can
be given reasons for uon-acceUtance. a previous
engagement can never be pleaded excuse.
Answers to royal Invitations should be written in
the third person. Communications with royalty
arc usually made through the controller OF the
household. 81 is entirely incorrect the
royal parsonage hmsei-that is TO say, I'm ordinary
circumstance for tho rights OF friendship and
affection override the observances Of court.
ILtroLucl.Ous 10 roy a personages are made only
az their request When the presentation IS made.
the lady presented should make a low but quick
courtesy-a sort Of "bob"-and man gives a deep.
respectful bow. The royal persoHages usually shake
hands and begin conversation az once the person
presented must on 40 account SPEAK nisl nor oiIeI
60 5-.t-r -i-- f~i+I iUtrodIIction is made thus;
Lady Blank, Your Majesty Mrs West Sir
When a country house party is arranged. with
royalty the principal guests tlelr WISHES are
sent o1t. A lst Of the people whom It is proposed
10 include as fellow guests y t - me-
tuted llEht Of erasluE adding names as may
t.ar, GOOD in their sight An entire suite OF rooms
rr7isf he set apart for the royal guests and they
lTeraIIv breakfast their own sitting ROOM joining
Ire rest of the party for luncheon and dinner
4 6ue point or royal etiquette is that a man or
woman who has not been presented at court cannot
so an the same table a royal guest, and TINS
trresuerfve OF his her rank. riches or position.
Sometimes the royal parsonage may specially invite
fbe undecided individual % the hlsn table, IN
nat case the situation is. OF course, altered
when the house party Is assembled for dinner
everv one remains standing until the royalties make
their aunearanCa. AS soon as they enter the room
the host gives his arm 10 the royal lady ana
loads the way 10 dining room. Followed bE jIs
Nrafezs with the masculine royalty, ana succreleI
Nv the remainder OF tho guests IN strietesI oIcfr
~ precedence. when dinner Is ended the. hostess
docs not make the usual move: she waits LOT some
SLIGHT Indication from her royal guests, showing
tb9t thew have finished dessert and their CONVERSE
ton and are ready 10 leave the dining room. 80,
In the event OF a London dinner party nuch ire
same etiquette prevails. IN that case tls TOY
VISITORS are received the door OF the mansion
~ hoe+ and hostess. by the most alone lL no
royal ladv IS present II the guests happen 70
81 eareDo hfcrreeSes or eastern poteiiates Cli4'
+tore cfrcur7s ances the host receives thel anu
conducts thcra az once 10 the hostess hoNal eutSls
,,e,I1,, arrive late and last. and. when they enter
fba ara wing room with their host and nos -, ~,
o+he- guests once rise TO their iel anu remain
standing until tho royalties are seated