Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-23

Costs Money to Play Host to the
Royalty Of England.
From London Tit-Bits.

From London T1tBitS.
King George. like the late King Ed
ward, does everything that lies in his
power to prevent undue trouble or ex-
pense being incurred by those whom he
visits, and everything that savors Of os-
tentation is most obnoxious to him. At
the same time 1t is necessary that a GER
tain amount Of Formally should be care
fully observed. and all this runs into
money. His majesty. for instance. IL in
variably accompanied by an equerry,
who, by reason Of his position becomes
q member OF the house party. while IL
the queen travels with his majesty, her
lady in waiting has likewise to be in
cluded among the guests. 1t il very rare
ly that the king is attended by more
than two body servants. while three
maids, as a rule, suffice for Queen Marys
requirements.
It Is laid down that his majesty must
upon all occasions have q suite OF
apartments to himself, and 1t is desired
that these should be as far removed
from the rooms of the other members of
the house party as possible. A similar
suite has to be provided for Queen Mary
when she Is present. Not many years
ago well known nobleman who was
first time spent over $4,000 in providing
new suite OF rooms for his majesty
occupation.
Whenever it is at all possible, the king
also desires that he should be placed in
telegraphfc and telephone communica-
ton with the royal palaces. SO that he
may be within easy reach of his secre-
taries and the chief officials OF his house
hold. Most country seats are. of course
today upon the telephone. but the tele-
graph is q very different matter, and
when the late King Edward was once
staying in the north of England his hest
- I'll
wire. His late majesty. as it happened.
only required to make use of it upon
one occasion. when he wired exactly
eight words to Buckingham Palace
surely the most expensive telegram that
was ever dispatched!
His majesty lives very simply. SO that
in reality very little extra cost need be
incurred for food and drink upon bis
account Naturally, however. those
honored with his company find it in
cumbent upon them to exert themselves
to the utmost to provide every delicacy-
in or out Of season-that can possibly be
has been paid for quails for the royal
table before today, and as much for
peaches when not in season, while IL
shillings basket holding considerably
less than a pound of early straw iries
is regarded as nothing out of the ordinary
upon these occasions. short time befo.
his accession it was estimated that one
luncheon table for ten guests, at which
MS majesty was present, nau COST &C.
tween E20O and E30O to prepare. And
then all that the king ate was plate of
cold roast beef and some salad!
Both King George and Queen Mary
have a great liking for good music. SO
that those who are their hosts and
hostesses spend almost fabulous sums to
obtain the services of the most talented
vocalists and instrumentalists of the
day. Upon one occasion. some years ago,
Queen Alexandra having expressed ner
admiration for the playing of Kubelik.
her host promptly wired him and invited
him to name his own terms for one
evenings recital Not only was the large
amount demanded cheerfully paid to the
gifted musician, but special trains We're
provided to convey him to the house and
to take him back to London again, a
sumptuous dinner awaited him, and the
smallest wish he expressed was at once
complied with. What that evenings en-
tertainment cost 1t is almost impossible
to say.
The hostess Of royalty is likewise called
upon to disburse large sums. 1t Is not
good form for her to appear in the pres
ence of their majesties twice In the
same costume, and during weeks visit
as much as 91,O00 may be- and often is.
spent upon gowns alone. Thus 1t Will DE
seen that to entertain the king and
queen is something that, on account Of
the expense alone, can only fall to the
lot of the very favored few. But this
cost is cheerfully borne, and there are
many people moving In society today
who would willingly spend half their in
come and more to be able to say that
their majesties had passed but q single
night under their roofs