Royal Birthday Etiquette – No Insults

Kaiser Wilhelm I of the House of Hohenzollern, was the King of Prussia (January 1861 – March 1888) and the first German Emperor (January 1871 – March 1888), as well as the first Head of State of a united Germany.

A silly story is telegraphed that the German Court is now discussing the question whether Minister Sargent ought to be invited to the Emperor's birthday reception, coupled with the prediction that if he attends "'he will certainly be personally affronted." It is safe to assert that the etiquette of the Court of Berlin does not permit it to invite anybody — least of all a foreign minister— to a reception for the express purpose of insulting him. – The Daily Alta, 1884

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