Court Etiquette Curiosities

Maritime ceremonial was for more important than other forms, as being at one time the measure of maritime supremacy.

Among other curiosities of court etiquette, it will not be commonly known that an Ambassador has the privilege, though never used, of putting on his hat in the presence of the Sovereign when he reads his reception speech. 

Maritime ceremonial was for more important than other forms, as being at one time the measure of maritime supremacy, and based on the theory that salutes should render the saluter temporarily powerless.

In the time of King James I, England insisted upon the disappearance of the flags and sails of all other ships as a salute to her own; and it was not until the end of last century that the resistance and disputes caused by such an overbearing and disputes caused by such an overbearing requisition were finally settled, through the agreements of France and Russia to dispense with maritime salutes in any form. At this day, they are pure acts of courtesy between ships of war. — Chamber’s Journal; New York Times 26 Dec 1875

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