Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-02
WHEN ENGLANO'S KING ONES
OBSERVED WHEN
THE MONARCH EATS OUT.
Only One Knife by His Plate
Drinks His Own Wine-Menu
Is Short.
From London Tit Bits.

From London Tit-Bts
When his majesty is to preside at a
public dinner d variety OF formalities have
TO be rigidly observed. In the first place
the invita- tion-including a list of the
committee, the toast lis. and the sneak
ers-must be received at Buckingham Pal
ace at least month or six weeks ahead
OF the date proposed for the function.
1t is then submitted to the king by his
private secretary. and if the date does
not clash with arrangements made pre-
vlously, and all other details being in or
der. the invitation is graciously accented
A statement must also be sent announc-
ing the hour at which the function is to
begin and when it is expected to end.
These two points are most essential. as
royalty and punctuality are synonymous
terms. Moreover. the king does not care
to spend more than certain number of
hours at any public dinner, therefore
speeches and other matters have to be
arranged accordingly.
After these necessary prelminaries have
been satisfactorily arranged the day ON
which the banquet is to take Mace is
awaited An hour or SO before the com
mencement of the dinner an official ar
rives at the banqueting hall 1t is his
duty TO examine the plan of the tables
and to see that the chair of tho lxino
is suitably placed so as to be free frono
draughts, noises and other disturbing in
fiuences. This official is exceedingly fas
tldlous and his word is law. On NOT a
lew occasions he has thrown every one
INTO a state OF CONSERVATION by dema nd
ing change in the ARRANGEMENTS of a
dinner at the eleventh hour The re-
quirements of his majesty in these and
other matters. however. are now so well
kyant hot mi tsly<
renee.
Care of the Wine.
AS soon as the seating arrangements
have been passed the special wine which
the illustrious guest is to drink arrives in
charge of a royal servant. Members Of
the royal family always send their own
wine to public dinners, and, in manv
cases, their own special brands of cira re
also The wine Is in the charge of a re-
Sponslble servant in the employ of the
royal household. whose duty it is to
stand behind the chair of his master ana
wait upon him.
Special attention has to be paid to the
menu. care being taken that the card
contains All assortment of dishes for
which the more important members of
the royal family have a predlection The
menu is usually short. and rarely exceeds
four or five courses. Private servants al
ways attend exclusively to the require
ments of the royal guests.
No Crossing of Knives.
Like most of his subjects his majesty
has dining whims He will on no account
for instance, allow two knives to lie on
the table before him together 1t is be-
lieved that the king puts some faith i'm
the well-known superstition that i'll comes
from the crossing of knives. Let this
be as it may. at all dinners held at Buck
ingham Palace a clean knife is placed be-
side each guest with every course. and
this rule must be rigidly observed at all
public as well private dinners at
tended by his majesty And his servants
take special pains to see that it Is so.
Dinner must be served as soon as his
ma jesty is seated. None save members
of the royal family are expected to con-
verse with the king until addressed by
him. and stranger must on no account
attempt conversation without formal
introduction. The royal visitor is ex-
ceedingly particular on this point and
is most precise in indicating those to
whom he wishes to be introduced
No one is permitted to leave the table
at a public dinner until all the members
Of the royal family have first risen and
retired. The king rarely smokes at pub
lie functions but a special room is usual
~ set aside for his majesty's accommo-
dalton should he wish to do SO.