Etiquette of Queens, Kings and Dukes

“The son of Waterloo” – The Duke of Wellington (or Weggington) as caricatured in Vanity Fair, June 1872

On one occasion Queen Victoria, Louis Philippe and the Duke of Wellington paid a visit, to Eton college. They were invited to sign the visitor’s book. The French King thoughtlessly took up the pen and signed his name at the top of the page. Etiquette, however, forbade Queen Victoria to sign her name under, any other. She therefore signed on the top of the next page. She then took up the pen and handed it to the Duke of Wellington, who was so excited at the contretemps that he actually signed his name “Weggington.” And, by the way, it may be recorded that etiquette forbids the Queen to converse with tradesmen. When a purveyor waits upon her, the Queen addresses her remarks to an equerry, who in turn, addresses the expectant merchant.—Philadelphia Times, 1896

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