King Bucked Spain’s Royal Etiquette

Alfonso of Spain has a peculiar aversion to gloves, and he refuses to wear them, even on great state occasions. In the beginning, the strict etiquette of the Court of Spain was shocked, but now the young King's independence is taken as a matter of course. — Public domain image of King Alfonso in 1919, courtesy of Wikipedia 

KING ALFONSO HATES GLOVES -

MAYOR'S TRICK IS UNVEILED 

Not Knowing King’s Distaste, Mayor Has His Picture Wrong

NEW YORK, June 14 —Alfonso of Spain has a peculiar aversion to gloves, and he refuses to wear them, even on great state occasions. In the beginning, the strict etiquette of the Court of Spain was shocked, but now the young King's independence is taken as a matter of course. 

Alfonso had also a keen and quick eye, and he relates this story of an incident in the Pyrenees. Passing through a little village the royal automobile misbehaved, and the royal traveler alighted to direct the royal chauffeurs in making repairs. The Mayor of this village struggled into a while collar and his best clothes and came forward to offer assistance. The King asked him to show him around the village, and the two men left the car in the road and walked through the town. 

In the office of the mayor was a picture of Alfonso, but wearing white gloves. This caused the King to approach and examine the print closely. “Never have I worn white gloves.” muttered Alfonso, Then the Mayor came forward, covered with confusion, and explained the picture was originally of Alfonso XII, the King’s father. When son followed father to the throne, the thrifty Mayor updated Alfonso XII and had the head of Alfonso XIII painted on the original canvas He had not, however, known about the gloves. — Associated Press, 1913

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia