Henry’s Breach of Etiquette

Henry was a morganatic descendant of the Grand Ducal House of Hesse and joined the British Royal family when he married Queen Victoria’s daughter, Princess Beatrice. Through his own daughter, Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, who became the Queen of Spain by marriage, Henry is a direct ancestor of current members of the Spanish royal family.

– Public domain image of Prince Henry of Battenberg

At Queen Victoria's recent state ball, Prince Henry of Battenberg first appeared wearing black gloves. These were seen to leave marks on the white dress of the Princess Victoria. Then the Prince of Wales approached him and whispered in German, “English etiquette prescribes white gloves.” Prince Henry soon slipped out of the room, and when he returned, his hands were clothed in white.—Pioneer Press, 1897

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