Question of Presidential Etiquette

Infanta Eulalia, Duchess of Galliera was the youngest daughter and child of Queen Isabella II of Spain and Francis, Duke of Cadiz, sister of King Alfonso XII and aunt of his son King Alfonso XIII. Very unconventional as a Spanish royal, on her visit to the US in 1893, she raised eyebrows by smoking. And rather than have mass in a luxurious Roman Catholic church cathedral, she attended mass in a poor parish. It was also reported that Eulalia even snubbed a social event to "eat sausages" at the Chicago World's Fair, just like a common attendee. According to www.EdwardianPromenade.com, "She later courted more controversy when she tried to divorce her husband, and when she became the official go-between for wealthy, social-climbing Americans and European noble families (the grateful Americans of course showered Eulalia with automobiles or the loaning of yachts)."

It's a Question of Etiquette

and a Matter of Form

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Infanta Situation 
"Bothering the Diplomats" 
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Shalt President Cleveland Return Eulalia's Visit? 

Now the Momentous Problem

Special to The Morning Call

Washington, May 14, 1893 — lt was learned to-day that the representatives of Spain and the United States have thus far failed to reach a satisfactory understanding regarding the programme of courtesies to be extended between the President and the Infanta Eulalia in the course of her stay in Washington.

According to custom, the Princess, at a convenient period after her arrival, would call upon the President and Mrs. Cleveland at the White House. Whether or not the President should in return call at the Princess's quarters in the hotel is the question, upon the settlement of which depends the future course of the Infanta.

The Spanish representatives, it is understood, insist that a return visit to the Princess is one that is due by courtesy and should be paid. They argue that the Princess is the personal representative of the Queen Regent, and will come to the United States upon the express invitation of Congress. Under these conditions, and these only, they feel that a return visit should be paid. 

If the Infanta were traveling through the country as a tourist merely, they say, she would pay her respects to the President, and no return visit from him would be expected. The Spanish officials are quoted as saying that the courtesy which should obtain among individuals of the same rank, and not etiquette, demands that the visit of the Infanta be reciprocated by the President.

The subject has been very thorougly discussed in Washington and Madrid, and a telegram from the latter capital printed. On Saturday morning, expressing the apprehension that the Infanta's health would not permit her to coutinue on her journey to the United States, is construed here as preparing the way for her return to Spain from Cuba if it should be found necessary to change tho original plan. The situation is embarrassing, and many plans have been made of expedients to relieve it. 

One of these, it is understood, was that the Infanta and her suite be entertained at the White House during her stay, thus obviating altogether the difficulty over the return visit. There is no precedent for the guidance of the officials here, as no one assuming to be the personal representative of a sovereign has ever visited this country.

Havana, May 14 .—The Infanta Eulalia and her husband attended a military review yesterday afternoon and in the evening went. to a ball at the Casino Espagnol: It is reported that she will embark to-morrow for New York. — San Francisco Call, 1893

Etiquette Enthusiast Maura J Graber is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia