The Etiquette of Royal Gents

Prince Luigi Amedo, Duke of the Abruzzi and "the Prince of Climbers", was an Italian adventurer, explorer and an accomplished mountaineer. A member of the Royal House of Savoy and the cousin of  Italian King Victor Emmanuel III, he is known for his for his mountaineering expeditions, particularly to Mount Saint Elias (Alaska–Yukon) and K2 (Pakistan–China), and his Arctic Explorations. He served as an Italian Admiral during World War I.

Royalty Met at Court

The Etiquette of Prince Luigi, Count Ceni and Prince Poniatowski

Prince Luigi, Count Ceni and Prince Poniatowski met and regaled themselves over in the Palace Hotel court yesterday afternoon. Count Ceni had come out from the hotel office booted and spurred, with a riding-whip in his hand. Prince Luigi appeared in the court about the same moment, and he also was rigged for riding. Each strode forward with dauntless air. About this time they espied Prince Poniatowski and he saw them. 

Poniatowski had come in, it appeared, from the grillroom. Such another lot of bowing and rushing for chairs for one another was probably never seen before. Each nobleman bowed low and often, and seemed to feel that it would be the greatest occasion of his life if he could only get a chair or two for the others before they did for him. Prince Luigi was as active as the other titled gentlemen. 

The three sat down and began to converse in French. Finally Poniatowski said something to one of the waiters at his elbow. The others did likewise, and presently three glasses were brought forward. One was a foaming beaker of something with the hue of whisky and soda. This was for the Polish nobleman. The others were two small glasses of liqueuer, and these and the big glass the three notables quaffed, while they continued their conversation in French. At length Ceni and the Duke arose and made their obeisance. It was a deep-rooted, heartfelt obeisance, apparently, and Poniatowski felt it as such, and showed his appreciation of it by retaliatory bows. 

Count Ceni and the Duke of Abruzzi, otherwise Prince Luigi, were setting out for the Ingleside races. Their horses were ready, and they vaulted into their saddles, waving other adeiux to Poniatowski, who waved a few more back to them, and the etiquette of the affair was over.

Mayor Sutro has, by the way, at last figured out the difficult problem as to whether he should first call on the Prince or wait for the latter to call on him. After much consulting of authorities on etiquette and asking the advice and aid of those who have had experience with royalty, he has come to the conclusion that it is his place to call on Prince Luigi on board the Italian cruiser Cristoforo Colombo and not wait in his office for his Highness to take the initiative. In order that the municipality, judiciary and Federal authorities may be well represented he has invited Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Beatty and Collector of the Port to accompany him. 

The party will leave Harrison-Street pier at 10 o'clock this morning on a special tug and will be welcomed on board the cruiser with the pomp and ceremony befitting the standing of the members. An invitation will be extended to the Prince to visit the various departments of the City and United States Government. — San Francisco Call, 1896

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