British Royal Etiquette is by Precedent

It’s interesting that for many years prior to 1968, the Lord Chamberlain’s Office played a much more significant role in British society. The Office was the official censor for every theatre performance performed in Britain. Overall, the theatre owners were satisfied by this arrangement, even if the playwrights were not. Owners were basically free from prosecution for any offense possibly caused by a play, that was as long as they presented only “licensed” plays. There were campaigns by some playwrights in opposition to what they saw as the Office’s censorship. Two (one in 1909 & one in 1911) were involving Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet, OM, the author of the popular play, “Peter Pan,” according to Wikipedia and other sources.– Above,  public domain image of Scottish playwright, J.M. Barrie

Etiquette by Precedent

For example of how men may live and act according to precedent there can be no better reference than to the Lord Chamberlain’s office in London. There in quiet rooms, day after day, men learned in State etiquette, Court dress and Royal functions reach down in heavy volumes to see what was done on such and such an occasion. Beautiful pictures showing with minute exactness the details of the Court costume under various circumstances are ready to their hands. 

Is the Shah of Persia coming? Is the Kaiser soon to arrive? Is the King going to receive the Monarch of Siam? Is one of the Royal Princesses to be married? When any of these events happens the officials at the Lord Chamberlain’s office know exactly what to do. And if at some point should crop up anything which has not been raised for a century or more, they have the faithful official records as to what was done on the last like occasion. – San Luis Obispo Daily Telegram, July 1910

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