Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-09
POINTS OF ROYAL ETIQUETTE.
English Customs Governing the Rela-
tons of the King With His Associates.


lions of the King With His Associates.
From the Ladies' Field.
The divinity that doth hedge king eX-
presses Itself in some curious ways, and TO
people who are not accustomed to asso-
ciating with these exalted personage5 royal
etiquette is in many points very puzzling
To those who meet Queen Alexandra con-
stantIy it probably does not seem strange
to address her as ma'am, but to unaccus-
toned ears this monosyllable does not sound
quite respectful. The queen is addressed as
ma'am by all the members of the upper
classes. the term your majesty being
rarely used except on formal occasions,
while the Princess of Wales and all the
prIncesses of the blood royal of England
are addressed in the same way. The king,
the Prince of Wales and all the other Eng
fish princes are addressed as sir. Yet for
slgn princes and princesses bearing the title
of serene highness must not be addressed
as sir or ma'am, but as prince and princess
A letter to the sovereign must begin thus:
"His Majesty the King" and below the
single word Sir" The conclusion of the
letter would be worded somewhat as fol-
lows: Il have the honor to submit myself
your majestys most humble and devoted
servant" etc. In the case of a peeress.
peers daughter or wife of a peers son, 1t
Is different. and letter might be worded
thus: Lady Southshire, or Lady Joan We're.
presents her most respectful duty to the
king. and begs to request, or humbly to
inquire" etc. a letter to the Prince of
Wales should begin thus: To His Royal
fIighuess the Prince of Wales on a lower
line Sir" and then the letter would be
proceeded with. 1t should be ended: Il re-
main your royal highness most dutiful and
obedient servant" etc A letter to royal
princess should be worded In the same
style.
Another curious bit Of royal etiquette pro-
vides, according 10 the authority first
quoted. that when members of the royal
family are present at dinner finger glasses
must be supplied for their use at dessert,
but not for the other guests.
When the king and queen play bridge or
any other round game money fresh from
the mint must be provided, and when any
member of the reigning family joins in
game of cards new money Is usually sup
Piled
Invitations from the sovereign, as nearly
every one knows. are commands, and must
be treated as such. Only the death of
near relative. serious illness or compulsory
absence from England can be given
reasons for non-acoeptance. previous en-
gagement can never be pleaded eS-
cuse. Answers to royal invitations should
be written in the third person. Communi-
cations with royalty are usually made
through the controller of the household; It
Is entirely incorrect to write to the royal
parsonage himseh-that is TO say, in ordi-
nary circumstances, for the rights of
friendship and affection override even the
observanoeS of court.
InIfOUuCIlOns 10 royal pSlSOnageS are
made only at their request. When the pre-
sanitation Is made the lady presented should
make a low but quick coUrtesy-a sort of
"bob"-and a man gives a deep, respectful
bow. The royal parsonage usually shakes
hands and begins the conversation al once
the person presented must on no account
speak first. offer to shake hands. The
initiative Is always taken by royalty. The
actual introduction Is made thus: Lady
Blank. your majesty" Mrs. West. sir"
Miss Joan West, ma'am."
When a country house party is arranged
with royalty as the principal guest. their
wishes are entirely deferred to in the mat
ter Of invitations sent out. A list of the
people whom 1t is proposed to include as
feIow-guests is previously submitted to the
royal personages and they have the undis-
puted right OF erasing or adding names as
may seem good in their sight. An entire
suite of rooms must be set apart for the
royal guests, and they usually breakfast in
their own sitting room, joining the rest of
the party for luncheon and dinner
n fine point of royal etiquette is that
MAN or woman who has not been presented
at court cannot sit at the same table as
royal guest, and this irrespective of his or
her rank. riches or position. Sometimes
the royal parsonage may specially invite
the unfledged individual to the high" table,
In that case the situation is of course al.
tered.
When the house party Is assembled for
dinner every one remains standing until
the royalties make their appearance. As
his arm TO the royal lady and leads the
way TO the dining room, followed by the
hostess with the masculine royalty, and
succeeded by the remainder of the puests
In strictest order OF precedence, When din
ner Is ended the hostess does not make the
usual move she waits for some slight fndi-
caton from her royal guests, showing that
they have finished dessert and their CONVEX
sation and are ready TO leave the dining
room.
In the event Of a London dinner party
much the same etiquette prevails In that
ease the royal visitors are received at the
door or the mansion by host and hostess
or by the host alone II no royal lady is
present. or If the guests happen to be Sc
rene hlghnesses or eastern potentates.
Under these circumstances the host re-
ceiVes them and conducts them at once to
the hostess. Royal guests usually arrive
late and last and when they enter the
craving room with their host and hostess
the other guests at once rise to their feet
and remain standing until the royalties are
seated