Crowned Heads with Clear Heads

“George V is probably the most abstemious King who has ever ascended the British throne. I do not say that he is a Good Templar, or a Rechabite, or a pledged teetotaler. But I do say, with confidence, on the authority of men who know him intimately, who have lived with him, dined with him, supped with him, that, although he sometimes takes a glass of wine, his usual beverages are distilled or mineral water and milk. There is not a man more abstemious in the use of intoxicants among all the millions who own his sway.” 

Some Sovereigns are Teetotalers 

King Ferdinand of Bulgaria, who has been fighting against such tremendous odds in the Balkans, gave up beer, wine and alcohol in any shape or form, some years ago on the advice of his mother. The King is one of the least nervous among monarchs and keeps his temper in the most trying circumstances. It is due to his coolness that he has been able to show to such a big advantage when dealing with the hot-headed races of his Balkan peninsula. King Ferdinand is an exception among the Balkan rulers. King Peter of Servia, the King of Greece, the King of Roumania and the King of Montenegro, all like their glass of wine. 

It was in December, 1908, that the Kaiser became a confirmed teetotaler. His favorite drink is one invented by the Kaiserin a few years ago. It consists of orange juice and lemon juice placed in the interior of a pineapple, from which part of the fruit has been taken and the juice from it returned. The pineapple is then placed on ice and filled up with mineral water, the drink being transferred to a glass with a ladle. This drink is, however, only taken as a special treat, the more usual beverage being a mixture of the juice of three oranges and two lemons, with a little sugar, mineral water being added. The Kaiser has done everything he can to encourage temperance. He stated publicly a short time ago, that the next war will demand healthy men. “War calls for strong nerves and history will crown the colors of the nation which consumes the least alcohol.” 

Contrary to popular belief, the amount of beer drunk per head of population in Germany every year is considerably less than the amount drunk in England. Very little alcohol is drunk by the German Royal family, though the Kaiser is the only absolute teetotaler. When he is invited to dinner, he drinks a special temperance drink that is supplied to his host in advance, and is served to the Emperor in champagne bottles. The reason for this is that according to strict etiquette, alcoholic drinks would be banished from all dinners at which his majesty was present in the ordinary way. But the Kaiser waives etiquette and drinks mock champagne while the guests are drinking real variety. 

King George the Crown Prince, though not a strict teetotaler, has very strong views upon those who drink to excess. While a student at Bonn he gave offense to the university by protesting vigorously against the drinking of an exaggerated quantity of beer by the students. His sister, Princess Victoria, who was recently married with such pomp and ceremony, has an occasional glass of champagne, but when she is alone with her husband, the beverages consumed on the royal table consist of non-alcoholic drinks of various kinds. 

The late W. T. Stead wrote in the “Review of Reviews” when King George came to the throne: “George V is probably the most abstemious King who has ever ascended the British throne. I do not say that he is a Good Templar, or a Rechabite, or a pledged teetotaler. But I do say, with confidence, on the authority of men who know him intimately, who have lived with him, dined with him, supped with him, that, although he sometimes takes a glass of wine, his usual beverages are distilled or mineral water and milk. There is not a man more abstemious in the use of intoxicants among all the millions who own his sway.” 

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, or rather, one should say the proof of the drinking is in the shooting. King George is one of the finest shots in the Kingdom, a position which he could not hold if he were not practically a teetotaler. The King by the way, very rarely indeed takes a cup of afternoon tea. Tea, on the contrary, is the favorite drink of Queen Mary. She drinks it, as a rule, without sugar. 

Queen Emma of Holland is almost a fanatic on the question of strong drink, and she has instilled her temperance ideas into the mind of Queen Wilhelmina Neither mother nor daughter touch alcohol in any shape or form. Until Queen Wilhelmina was married, in fact, wine was never seen on the Royal table. Prince Henry, however, who likes a glass of wine, insisted that it should be provided for himself and guests, though his wife and mother-in-law are still strict teetotalers. —Healdsburg Enterprise, 1913

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