The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-12-09
ENTERTAINING ROYALTY.

King George of England, like his late
father. King Edward. does everything
that lies in his power TO prevent undue
trouble or expense being incurred by
those whom he visits. Everything that
SaVors after ostentation is obnoxious to
him. At the same time 1t is necessary
that a certain amount of formality should
be carefully observed, and all this runs
into money. For instance, the King in
variably is accompanied by an equerry,
who, by reason of his position, becomes
member of the house party, while, II
the Queen travels with the King, her
lady-in-waiting likewise has to be includ-
ed among the guests. 1t is very rarely
that the King is attended by more than
two body servants. Three maids, as a
rule, suffice for the Queens requirements.
1t Is, Of course. settled that upon all
occasions the King must have a suite OF
apartments to himself, and it 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 the Queen
whenever she is present.
Not very long ago a British nobleman
who was entertaining the present King
las Prince of Wales) spent more than
t2,OOO in providing a new suite of rooms
Tor the exalted guests occupation.
whenever this is possible the King
also desires to be placed in telegraphlc
or telephone communication with the
royal palaces, SO that he may be within
easy reach of his secretaries and the
chief officials of his own household.
Nowadays most country houses are pro-
vided with a telephone, but with the tele-
graph il is quite a different matter
once. while ;he late King Edward was
staying In the north of Scotland, his
host expended s150 to provide a special
private telegraph wire. 1t so happened
that the King only found it necessary to
make use of it once, when he wired Just
eight words to Buckingham Palace. prob
ably the most expensive telegram ever
dispatched.
King George is a very frugal eater, so
that in reality very little extra cost need
be incurred for fooG and drink on his
own account. Still. 1t goes without say
ing that those whom the King honors
with his company find 1t incumbent upon
them to exert themselves to the utmost
to provide every delicacy-in or out of
season-that possibly can be obtained
AS much as a sovereign piece has been
paid for quaiIs for the royal table. and
Qulle as ulucn lot peaches Wnen not 10
season, while L shillings a basket, hold
ing considerably less than a pound, of
early strawberries is regarded as moth
ing out of the ordinary upon such occa-
sions.
A short tIre before his accession to
the throne II was estimated that one
single luncheon table for ten guests, at
which King George was present, had cost
all of $500 to prepare. And it is chron-
a h. afa MD
OF cold roast beef and some little salad.
Both King George and Queen Mary
have great liking for good music;
consequently. those who have been sin
gled out for the honor to entertain the
royal pair. spend almost fabulous sums
to obtain the services Of the most tai
ented vocalists and instrumentalists Of
the day. On one occasion. some years
ago, Queen Alexandra having expressed
her admiration for the playing of Ku-
belik. her host promptly wired TO him
and invited him to name Is own terms
for one evenings recital. Not only was
the large amount demanded. Cheerfully
paid to the gifted musician, but special
trains were provided to convey him 20
the house and back to London again. a
sumptuous dinner awaited him, and the
smallest wish which he expressed was
complied with at once.
And for that matter. so is the hostess
Of royalty called upon TO disburse large
sums For 1t is not good form for her
to appear in the presence of their mai
estes twice in the same costume. and
during a visit lasting a week, as much
as 5000 may be, and often really is.
spent on gowns alone. Thus it will be
seen that to entertain the British King
and Queen means something that on
account Of the enormous expense can
only fall to the lot OF a very few IA
vored ones in the whole realm.
Something like 100 valuable books were
sold in London last month at private sale
after It had been announced that they
would be disposed of at Sothebys on
November "a at public sale. It consisted