An Emperor’s One-Armed Eating

Over the years, numerous “amputee” forks and one-armed eating tools have been invented. Dining in a dignified manner, using only one hand, was made easier by combining a fork and knife in one utensil. This one shown is from the book, “What Have We Here?” and is a post-World War I era fork and knife combination for cutting food and then bringing it to the mouth. The stainless steel blade with tines has a Bakelite handle.– The news article does not describe the Kaiser’s dining “implement” so we can only guess what type of these it might have been.

Why the Dinner was Late

An Exhaustive Search Was Necessary to Discover Important Utensils

An 1860’s American Civil War era Army officer’s folding spoon and combination knife and fork, fully unfolded.

An 1860’s American Civil War era, Army officer’s folding spoon and combination knife and fork. 

A modified version of a Nelson Fork, made some 40 to 50 years later, designed for the general public’s one-handed eating of pickles, pies and cakes.

A “Nelson Fork” - Named for Admiral Nelson who lost his arm fighting Napoleon’s forces at Tenerife

An incident which occurred two or three years ago. on the occasion of the young German Emperor's visit to Greece, illustrates anew the fact, which no one ever doubted, that the etiquette of a Court may bring as much discomfort to the King as to the people who surround him. The Kaiser holds the honorary rank of Admiral in the British navy. The commander of the British squadron in Greek waters tendered his Majesty a dinner on board his ship. Of course, the banquet was to be a most elaborate and magnificent affair. 

The hour arrived, and the Royal guest and his suite and officers, all in brilliant uniform, were assembled. Then it was discovered that an important implement was missing. Where was the Emperor’s knife and fork? For the Kaiser, having but one arm that he can use —his left arm is withered—can wield the scepter, the sword or the pen, but cannot use a knife and fork as other people use them. In their place, he employs an ingenious contrivance which combines in one implement both knife and fork, and does very well with it. Just at that moment it was discovered that the Imperial knife and fork had not been placed by the Imperial plate. It was sought for, but it could not be found. 

The Emperor’s attendants were inquired of; no one knew where it was. Then the knife and fork might have been left ashore, perhaps. A picked crew were put into one of the ship’s boats, and brawny backs bent over the oars, for the errand was one that called for dispatch. The Emperor’s quarters in the city were searched, but no knife and fork could be found. All this time, the dinner was spoiling. The search had been made with all possible energy, but it was now two hours since the table had lacked only the Kaiser's knife and fork. But the dinner could not be eaten until the Kaiser was ready to eat, and his eating implements must he found. Perhaps before this time the happy thought had occurred to more than one person, “The Emperor may know where it is.” But up to this time no one had ventured to ask him. Would he, under the melancholy circumstances, take it amiss if he were questioned? 

Hunger rendered the host bold: with decorus delicacy the Emperor was approached, and the momentous question was put. Could he tell where his knife and fork might be found? “Why, yes, here it is,” replied William II, and reaching inside his uniform he produced the much sought implement from an inner pocket. The host forthwith led the way to the table, not only greatly relieved in mind, but deeply impressed with the fact that the affairs of Germany were in safe hands. —Youth’s Companion, 1892

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