Royal Dining Etiquette for Charles II

 “This charming portrait of Charles II as Prince of Wales was painted for his mother by Sir Anthony van Dyck in 1637 or early 1638. Little did anyone think at the time that armour was to be necessary to his young life, not just as a romantic costume for a portrait but also for his very survival.” —From “At the King’s Table”

The five-year-old Charles, Prince of Wales (later Charles II, 1660-85) dines in state with his parents at Whitehall Palace. He sits at the end of the table, to the left of his mother, Queen Henrietta Maria, who sits at the left hand of the King, Charles I. The young Prince already has his own silver-gilt vessels, made by the Jewel House. 

Sewers, or servers, on bended knee offer dishes to the King and his family. The Prince chooses from the food offered, and the gentlemen carve and taste each portion before it is placed before him. A procession of liveried servants carry in more dishes and lay them on the table, where none but the Royal family dines. Over the King’s head is the canopy of state, erected for him alone. Behind a balustrade at the end of the chamber, well-dressed courtiers and men (mainly men) of quality press to witness every mouthful of the Royal meal. As if to counteract all this formality, a clutch of dogs play and probably defecate around the table. 

This is the formative experience of having dinner for Charles I's eldest son, who, after years of struggle, heartbreak and exile, will return to England to re-create almost exactly this ritual of Royal public dining. In between, he will know danger, hunger and despair, but also loyalty, comradeship and love. He will remember that bread and cheese are better than an empty stomach, but he will never forget that he is the rightful heir to the English and Scottish thrones. — By Susanne Groom, in “At the King’s Table”

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