Wealthy Americans Need Not Apply

The Prince of Wales is notoriously against the rich American who comes over to England with the idea of buying himself or herself into society. To his aunt, Princess Christian, he remarked not long ago, with reference to the latest comer: “Mrs. Potter Palmer? Mrs. Potter Palmer? Who is she?” –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
On Mrs. Potter Palmer, author Aline B. Saarinen wrote, “so fabulous were her jewels that a newspaper declared that when she appeared on the S.S. Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse with a tiara of diamonds as large as lima beans, a corsage panned with diamonds, a sunburst as big as a baseball, a stomacher of diamonds and all the pearls around her neck, Alois Burgskeller of the Metropolitan Opera, who was singing at the ship’s concert, was stopped right in the middle of a high note.” – Above, Mrs. Potter Palmer, wealthy American socialite, businesswoman and philanthropist
– image source, Wikipedia 

Rich Americans to be Tabooed? 

Edward opposed to foreign inundation 

 Pushy bid for royal favor fails 

Anglo-American Residents Antagonistic to Increasing Stream That Tries to Break Down Barriers of Exclusiveness

Special Cable to The Herald — There is such a decided feeling in England against the constant influx of visitors that it is quite a question what will happen in following seasons. King Edward himself has openly expressed his opinion that too many Americans come to London with the intention of pushing into society, and for the last two or three years he has persistently refused to be introduced to any newcomers. It is notable that many of his best friends are Americans, among them, of course, being Consuelo, Duchess of Manchester; Mrs. Arthur Paget, Mrs. Townsend, the countess of Essex, as well as Mrs. Hall Walker, who is partly American, and in the old days he was very friendly with Mrs. Mackay and Mrs. Ronalds. Although he said to Mrs. Potter Palmer at Marblehead, “Why do you not come and settle down in England?” what was taken as a pressing invitation was not followed by any other attention except one to lunch with the royal party at Ascot. She was never invited to any great function and, although she took Egypt and the “White Ladye” with the express object of attracting to herself a royal visit and gave very pressing invitations to Consuelo, Duchess of Manchester, Mrs. Hall Walker, the Countess of Essex and other favorites, this last patent bid for royal favor was without any result.

The Prince of Wales is notoriously against the rich American who comes over to England with the idea of buying himself or herself into society. To his aunt, Princess Christian, he remarked not long ago, with reference to the latest comer: “Mrs. Potter Palmer? Mrs. Potter Palmer? Who is she?”Anglo-American residents are also much against these casual visitors who sometimes do them discredit. The young Duchess of Marlborough and Roxburghe, Lady Curzon, Mrs. George West and others much resent being classified with some other Americans who come over and try to push themselves into the inner circle. It is felt that the influence of Mr. and Mrs. Whitelaw Reid will make a great change. Mr. Reid is a man of great social experience and man of the world and a diplomat with a natural talent for Judging men and matters at their value. There is no doubt that presentations at court will not be so easily managed in the future as they have been in the past.

The most important American presentation at the court this year was that of Lady Bagot, whose debut was watched with the greatest interest by all the smart American set. Consuelo, Duchess of Manchester lent her all her jewels, so that she really made a gorgeous effect, and in the royal circle several inquiries were made as to who the new beautiful American peeress could be. Everyone is agreed that the sensational Americans in London this season have been Mrs. Crackenthorpe, Mrs. Townsend, Mrs. John Jacob Astor, Mrs. Shaw and Mrs. Nat Goodwin. Of the pronounced success of these five women there is no question. That Mrs. Astor should succeed was in the natural order of things. She has charmed every one by her beauty and smartness. She dresses beautifully, too. Mrs. Shaw was perhaps her most immediate rival, and when she stayed at her house in Portland place she was considered by many to outshine her handsome hostess. 

Mrs. Townsend made her success with the King a year or two ago, and she has in no wise lost her position, but they say that the only woman of whom Mrs. George Keppel is jealous is Mrs. Crackenthorpe, the handsome daughter of Gen. Daniel Sickles, who dances in the most fascinating manner the old Spanish dance in costume. Since she performed before the King and Queen. she has become so popular that she declares she will return again next year. It is ordered that both Mrs. Crackenthorpe and Mrs. Townsend should be the wives of Belgian diplomats. The success of Mrs. Nat Goodwin was partly due to Mrs. Newhouse, who championed her from the beginning, when people were inclined to look coldy at the beautiful actress. – Los Angeles Herald, 1905

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