Royal Dresser Consulted Hollywood

Hilda Grenier is Coronation Specialist. She explains royal jewels to actress Jean Simmons.

                 

Hollywood’s ‘royal matters’ no problem for this lady 

Elizabeth is crowned. As consultant on MGM's new Technicolor romance, “Young Bess,” she viewed the rise of England's great Queen Elizabeth (played by Jean Simmons) from childhood until the death of Queen Mary (Bloody Mary) in 1558, at which time Young Bess be came queen.

Mrs. Grenier’s Royal parlay will be complete when she witnesses the Coronation of the new Elizabeth.

The latter hadn’t yet entered the world when Mrs. Grenier came to America with her husband in 1915, but she knew Elizabeth’s father, the late George VI, and her grandmother, the late Queen Mary, with whom she corresponded regularly before the latter's death.

Mrs. Grenier said that the Queen was vitally interested in the filming of the new picture, which, in addition to Miss Simmons, stars Stewart Granger, as Tom Seymour; Deborah Kerr, as Queen Catherine Parr, and Charles Laughton, as the pompous Henry.

When Mary became Queen 

Planning on being in London on June 2 for the Coronation? No? Well, don't fret about it because there's a gray-haired little lady right here in Hollywood who can give you a quick run down on the whole affair.

Hilda Grenier, in her 60s, is as enthusiastic as a teen-ager over her own approaching trip to England for the great occasion. She was there in 1902 when Edward VII was crowned, and again in 1911 when George V ascended the throne.

Now, as she puts it, “I believe I’ll be the only person to see two Elizabeths become Queen of England in a period of little more than six months.”

That rather confounding historical twist is the result of Mrs. Grenier’s present occupation as a technical consultant in Hollywood. Scarcely a motion picture Coronation scene or one of Royal pageantry is filmed these days without her being present to see that it is done correctly.

Her latest chore in this respect is what brought up the business about her seeing two Royal procession forms in the annex. “Then the procession enters the Abbey by the west door the Lord Mayor of London, foreign Royalty, Rajahs, Ladies in Waiting, diplomats, little pages, chamberlains, etc… All is confusion for a moment, then, as if by magic, comes order. A blaze of lights illuminates the walls of ageless stone, a boys choir and a great organ are heard.

“The ceremony is a tremendous emotional and religious experience. There is the lengthy Litany and Sermon,” Mrs. Grenier continued, “then, the Queen makes the first oblation at the altar, and takes the Coronation oath and is anointed by the Archbishop. Many other colorful ceremonies follow, during which she is loaded down with emblematic burdens of Monarchy. Then the Archbishop stands alone at the altar, and raises significantly and reverently in his hands, a shining, blazing object— the Crown of England. He consecrates it, raises it high above the Queen and then slowly lowers it upon her head.

“Then comes the Holy Communion, the gathering in St. Edward’s chapel and, finally, the procession leaves the Abbey, This, is when the man in the street has his hour.”

Whether inside or outside the Abbey, Mrs. Grenier says that it's a celebration that brings out goose pimples. In her 37 years in the U.S. —she's been a naturalized citizen, since 1926— she has learned that not much surprises Americans. “But,” she said, “those in London on June 2 will experience a surprise a minute. You just have to see a Coronation to be impressed by it. Words alone are not enough.”

Knowledge of Royal matters has kept her in steady demand in Hollywood. Besides “Young Bess,” she has advised on such films as “The Prisoner of Zenda,” “My Cousin Rachel,” “Gunga Din,” “Great Expectations,” “Disraeli,” “Mudlark” and “The Prince and the Pauper.” It was the last picture, incidentally, that brought her some regret. She was busily supervising a Hollywood Coronation scene when George VI received the crown in England. She hated to miss it. But in her mind’s eye, she saw everything that attended the Coronation just as she can now picture in advance all the splendorous details of Elizabeth II’s great day.

“It is always, unalterably, the same,” she said. “And that just seems to add to its greatness— the greatness of an occasion pregnant with history and hallowed by centuries. Only the faces are different.

“The real excitement actually begins from two to three weeks before the Coronation, when the highest representatives of governments and Royalty start arriving from all over the world. There is a steady stream of fetes, dinners and balls at the palaces and gala performances at the opera and the theatre. Most of London’s business streets are elaborately decorated and flags are flown at the embassies and many private homes.

“When June 2 dawns, the parade route from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey will be swarming with people, many of whom have been waiting from the day before. Thousands will have paid from $25 to $85 for bleacher seats along the route.

“The biggest and most enthusiastic crowd will be gathered outside the Abbey. A great cheer will go up as the Queen approaches in the lumbering State Coach built for George III in 1761. Inside the Abbey, more than 7000 peers and peeresses will be waiting, packed tightly together in their resplendent robes.

While with Queen Mary, Mrs. Grenier was in close personal attendance to her in the executive position of an accreditedRoyal Dresser, the modern name for Keeper of the Robes. She simultaneously was trained in all branches of etiquette and protocol because of State visits to other Courts. (She has stayed in most of the old castles, palaces and great houses of Britain and Europe and, besides Coronations, has been present at every kind of Royal and social functions from baptisms and weddings, not to mention several Royal tiger and elephant hunts in India.)

The vast fund of information she has gathered, has made her probably the best informed person in the country on Royal matters. Born in Kent on Nov. 14, 1886, the same birthday as the new Elizabeth's little Prince Charles– Mrs. Grenier began training for her Court service when she was 17, at which time she was sent to the German Imperial Court as Royal Dresser to the late Duchess of Saxe Meininger, eldest granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Los Angeles Daily News, 1953

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

British Coronation Etiquette – King Henry V

Tom Hiddleston portraying Henry V in the 2012 British television film based on the play of the same name by William Shakespeare. It was the fourth film in the series of television films called “The Hollow Crown.”

Remarkable incidents in this most important occasion of a British ruler’s life. Striking features of ceremony from the earliest day to the last great Coronation event of the 19th Century

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The Coronation of England’s Henry V

In the age of the Plantagenets, Tudors and under the Stuarts, until the Coronation of James II, it was customary for Kings to reside in the Tower of London for some time, previous to the Coronation. On the Saturday before the Coronation, the Sovereign went from Westminster to the Tower of London, attended by great numbers of the Nobility and civic dignitaries, and by those people who were to be Knighted, and who watched their arms that night. Each squire had a chamber allotted him, and a bath in which he bathed. The ensuing day after mass, the Sovereign created them Knights. After their investiture they were permitted to sit down in the King's presence, but during the whole time of dinner, they were rot allowed to partake of any part, of the entertainment. The Queens in their own right, Mary and Elizabeth, though they girded the swords on the Knights with their own-hands, did not give the accolade or blow, which is the determinate action that impresses the character of Knighthood. At both Coronations, Henry, Earl of Arundel, performed this office. A copy of his appointment is to be found in Rymer.

Henry V was Crowned on the 9th of April, 1413. Katherine of France, the Queen of Henry V, was Crowned on the 24th of February, 1420. The account which Holinshed gives of the magnificence displayed upon this occasion is far too characteristic of the age to be omitted: “After the great solemnization of the foresaid Coronation in the church of St. Peter’s, at Westminster, was ended, the Queene was conveied into the great Hall of Westminster, and there set to dinner. Upon whose right hand sat, at the end of the table, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Henrie surnamed the Rich, Cardinall of Winchester. 

Upon the left hand of the Queene sat the King of Scots in his estate who was served with covered masse, as were the foresaid Bishops, but yet after them. Upon the left hand, next to the cupboard, sat the maoir and his brethren, the aldermen of London. The Bishops began the table, against the Barons of the Cinque Ports; and the Ladies against the maior. These, with, others, ordered the service, and, for the first course, brawne in mustard, eels in burneur, pike in herbage, fuiment with balien, lamprie powdered, trout, codling, plaice fried, martine fried trout, codling, plaice fried crabs, leech lumbard flourished tartes and a device called a pelican, sitting on hir nest, with hir birds and an image of St. Katherine holding a booke and disputing with doctors. 

“The second course was gellie coloured with columbine flowers, whits potage or creame of almonde, breame of the sea, conger, cheuen, barbil, and roch, fresh salmon, haliba, gurnard, rochet broilee, smelts, fried, crevis, or lobster, leechdamaske, with the King's posie flourished thereon. The third course was dates in compost, creame motle, carp deore, turbut, tench perch with goion, fresh turgion with welks, porperous rosted, creves da cau doure, branis, eeles rosted with lamprie, a leech, called the white leech, flourished with hawthorne leaves and red hawes; a marchpane garnished with diverse figures of angels.”– San Francisco Call, 1901

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

British Coronation Etiquette – Queen Elizabeth I

Actress Cate Blanchett in one of her fine film portrayals of Elizabeth I – By the end of Elizabeth’s I reign, in his “Court and Country,” of 1618, Nicholas Breton gives an instructive account of the strict rules which were drawn up for observance in great households at that time, and says that the gentlemen who attended on great Lords and Ladies had enough to do to carry these orders out. “Not a trencher must be laid or a napkin folded awry; not a dish misplaced; not a capon carved or a rabbit unlaced contrary to the usual practice; not a glass filled or a cup uncovered save at the appointed moment: everybody must stand, speak, and look according to regulation.”

Remarkable incidents in this most important occasion of a British ruler’s life. Striking features of ceremony from the earliest day to the last great Coronation event of the 19th Century

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The Coronation of England’s Elizabeth I

Speed's account of the procession of Queen Elizabeth contains some particulars' too remarkable to be omitted. “All things in readiness, upon the fourteenth of January, with great triumphes and suptuous shewes, shee passed thorow London, towards “Westminster, to receive her Imperiall Crowne; but before she entered her chariot in the Tower, acknowledging that the seat was God's into which shee was to enter, and shee his viceregent to wield the English sceptre: in that royall assembly, with eyes and hands elevated to heaven, upon her knees, she prayed for his assistance, as Solomon did for wisdome when he tooke the like charge: with a thankful remembrance unto God for his continued preservation, which had brought her thorow great dangers unto that present dignitie.”

She was crowned the 5th of January, 1555, by Oglethorpe, Bishop of Carlisle, the see of Canterbury being vacant by the death of Cardinal Pole. Holinshed says that she composed the following prayer as she went to her coronation: “O Lord Almightie and Everlasting God, I give thee most heartle thanks that thou hast beene so merciful into me, as to spare me to behold this joifull daie. And I acknowledge that thou has delt as wonderfullie and as merciefullie with me as thou didst with thy true and faithful servant Daniell, thy prophet, whome thou delivered out of the den from the crueltie of the greedy and roaring lions. Even so was I overwhelmed, and only by thee delivered. To thee, therefore, onelle be thanks, honor and praise for ever. Amen.” – San Francisco Call, 1901

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

British Coronation Etiquette – King Henry VIII

Henry VIII acted like an animal at times, but not while dining. Yes, even many “etiquette experts” get it wrong. One was quoted as saying this, upon the release of his 2013 book of etiquette: “In Henry VIII’s time it was good manners to chuck lamb bones over one’s shoulder for the greyhounds to feed. That would cause raised eyebrows these days.” Au contraire, mon frère! When it comes to table manners, we have no grounds to feel superior to Henry VIII. He observed complex etiquette. True, there was at least one occasion when Henry threw sugar-plums at his guests, and, given the gallons of sweetened wine consumed, meals must sometimes have got out of hand. Yet the general rules of table were politer than our own. If Henry overindulged (and surely he did, his waist thickening to 54in after a jousting accident in 1536), he did so with aplomb. Hands were washed before, during and after every meal. He had a special fingerbowl – heated in a chafing dish – and a designated napkin to protect his fine ‘manchet’ bread roll. When he had eaten enough, he stood and washed his hands while an usher brushed crumbs from his royal person.

Remarkable incidents in this most important occasion of a British ruler’s life. Striking features of ceremony from the earliest day to the last great Coronation event of the 19th Century

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The Coronation of England’s Henry VIII

Henry VIII was extremely fond of pageantry and he was particularly anxious about the ceremonials of his Coronation. The Londoners seconded his desires, and when, after having created twenty-four Knights of the Bath, he rode through London from the Tower, June 22. 1509, the streets were hung with tapestry and cloth of arras, and a great part of the south side of Cheap and part of Cornhill were hung with cloth of gold. The several companies and civic dignitaries lined the streets, and Hall tells us:

“The goldsmiths’ stalls unto the end of the Old Change, being replenished with virgins in white, with branches of white wax; the priestes and clearkes in rich copes, with crosses end censers of silver, censing his grace and the Queene also as they passed. The Queene Katherine was sitting in hir litter, borne by two white palfries, the litter covered and richlie apparelled, and the palfries trapped in white cloth of gold: her person aparelled in white satin imbroidered, hir hair hanging downe to hir backe, beautlfull and goodlie to behold, and on hir head a coronall set with manie rich orient stones.” The Coronation was celebrated with brilliant “justs and turneies” which the King and Queen witnessed from “a faire house covered with tapestrie.” 

– San Francisco Call, 1901

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

British Coronation Etiquette – Henry II and Richard I

From the 1968 film “Lion in Winter,” Peter O’Toole (second from right) portrayed Henry II and Anthony Hopkins (third from left) portrayed Richard I – Richard I was the third son of Henry II and Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine. Richard I reigned over England from July 6, 1189 to April 6, 1199. He was also held the titles of Duke of Normandy, Aquitaine and Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Poitiers, Anjou, Maine, and Nantes. Despite fictional representations of him, more accurate history shows him to have been at times, a violent man, but an excellent soldier. He was considered a poor King, which may explain why he spent so little of his reign in England, leaving William de Longchamp and his mother, as regents in his place.

Remarkable incidents in this most important occasion of a British ruler’s life. Striking features of ceremony from the earliest day to the last great Coronation event of the 19th Century

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The Coronation of England’s Henry II

Henry II was Crowned at Westminster on the Sunday before Christmas day, A.D. 1154, by Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury. Although his hereditary right was unquestionable, he was formally elected by the clergy and people. It is said that Henry was Crowned again with his Queen, A.D. 1159, but this report arose from his having worn the Crown during the ceremony.

The Coronation of England’s Richard I

Duke Richard, having made all necessary preparations for his Coronation, came to London, where he assembled the Archbishops of Canterbury, Rouen and Tours, who had given him absolution in Normany for waging war against his father after he had taken the cross as a Crusader. First, the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbotts and clergy, wearing their square caps and preceded by the cross and holy water bearers and deacons burning incense, went to the door of the royal bedchamber and led the Duke in solemn procession to the great altar of the church of Westminster. When they reached the altar Richard swore, in the presence of the clergy and people on the holy gospel and the sacred relics, that he would observe peace, honor and respect all the days of his life to God, holy church and its ordinances. 

His attendants then stripped him to his trousers and shirt, the latter of which was left open between the shoulders on account of the anointing. Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, who wore rich buskins of cloth of gold, then anointed the King in three places, on the head, between the shoulders and on the right arm. A consecrated linen coif and a cap of estate were then placed upon his head and he was vested with the royal robes, the lamatic and the tunic. The Archbishop then delivered him a sword to restrain the enemies of the church. Two Earls then buckled on his spurs and invested him with the pall of state; after which Baldwin conjured him in the name of God and forbade him to take the crown unless he were firmly resolved in his heart and soul to observe all the promises to which he had sworn. 

The festivities were sullied by a sanguinary and disgraceful riot. Numbers of Jews had flocked to England in the reign of Henry II, where they were honorably protected by that liberal and enlightened Sovereign. Grateful for such unusual favors, they assembled at London to subscribe themselves in order to make Richard a splendid present on the day of his Coronation. Unfortunately, Richard was persuaded by some of the bigots who surrounded him that the Jews were accustomed to practice magic on Sovereigns during the time of the Coronation, and he therefore issued an edict prohibiting any Jew from entering the church while the ceremony was being performed, or appearing at the palace during dinner. Curiosity overcame prudence. Several of the most considerable Jews mingled with the crowd and gathered around the gates of the palace. One of them, endeavoring to force an entrance, was struck in the face by an overzealous Christian. This signal aroused the fanaticism of the multitude. 

A general assault was made upon the Jews, who fled in confusion toward the city. Some wretches, eager for plunder, raised a cry that the King had given orders for the extermination of the unbelieving Jews; and, as this was by no means improbable, when the King was a Crusader, it received implicit credit. The city mob, swelled by the multitudes who had come from the country, attacked the houses of the Jews, which the inhabitants defended with great courage and obstinacy. The enraged populace, when night came on, finding, that they could not break into tho houses, hurled brands and torches on the roofs and through the windows. Conflagrations burst forth in various parts of the city, which consumed not only the houses of the Jews but those of the Christians. Richard caused several of the ringleaders and most notorious malefactors to be apprehended the next day. They were hanged, as a terror to others, a proclamation was issued taking the Jews under the Royal protection, and the tranquillity of the city was restored. – San Francisco Call, 1901

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

British Coronation Etiquette – William the Conqueror

The Normans introduced chivalry to Britain – Savage in their warfare, William and the Normans were more civilised in their politics. Before 1066, the English political elite had routinely resorted to murdering their political rivals, as they would do again in the later Middle Ages. But for more than two centuries after the Conquest, chivalry prevailed, and political killing became taboo. “No man dared slay another, no matter what wrong he had done him”, said the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in its summary of the plus points of William’s reign. Waltheof of Northumbria, beheaded in 1076, was the only Earl to be executed after the Norman takeover. The next execution of an Earl in England occurred in 1306, some 230 years later. – From Medieval Archives.com

Remarkable incidents in this most important occasion of a British ruler’s life. Striking features of ceremony from the earliest day to the last great Coronation event of the 19th Century

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The Coronation of England’s William the Conqueror  

In the age of the Plantagenets, Tudors and under the Stuarts, until the Coronation of James II, it was customary for Kings to reside in the Tower of London for some time, previous to the Coronation. On the Saturday before the Coronation, the Sovereign went from Westminster to the Tower of London, attended by great numbers of the Nobility and civic dignitaries, and by those people who were to be Knighted, and who watched their arms that night. Each squire had a chamber allotted him, and a bath in which he bathed. The ensuing day after mass, the Sovereign created them Knights. After their investiture they were permitted to sit down in the King's presence, but during the whole time of dinner, they were rot allowed to partake of any part, of the entertainment. The Queens in their own right, Mary and Elizabeth, though they girded the swords on the Knights with their own-hands, did not give the accolade or blow, which is the determinate action that impresses the character of Knighthood. At both Coronations, Henry, Earl of Arundel, performed this office. A copy of his appointment is to be found in Rymer.

After William had taken the Coronation oath, to protect the church, prohibit oppression and execute judgment in mercy, Aldred put the question, “Will ye have this Prince to be your King?” The people answered with loud shouts, and the noise gave so much alarm to the Norman garrison in the city, that the soldiers, believing the English to have revolted, without waiting to make any investigation, immediately set the next houses on fire, which, spreading and giving a general alarm, most of the congregation rushed out of the church, the English hastening to stop the fire and the Normans to plunder. The bishops, clergy and monks, who remained within the church, were in such confusion that they were scarce able to go through the office of crowning the King. William himself, who saw the tumult, and could not conjecture its cause, sate trembling at the foot of the altar, and, though no great mischief was done by the fire, it laid the foundation of a long and inveterate enmity between the English and the Normans. –San Francisco Call, 1901

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

Court Etiquette Denies A Queen

It was a proud day in the British Empire, but of all its millions, the one who perhaps had the most reason to be proud, was denied by Court etiquette the joy of witnessing the triumphal event. At Sandringham Palace, Queen Mother Alexandra, who, forty-six years ago this month, gave Britain a King, awaited the news that her son had taken his place in the long line of British Monarchs.

All London Resplendent in Glory at Grandest Event in Modern History of Monarchies
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Golden Crown Sparkling With 3,000 Diamonds and Other Jewels is Bestowed

LONDON, June 22. King George V, Eighth of the House of Hanover, was today crowned King of the British Empire and given the public homage of his world-wide subjects. With his consort, Queen Mary, his Majesty was crowned in the Abbey of Westminster with all the wealth of religious rites and Royal ceremonial prescribed by custom. The picture within the gray-walled Abbey was one of medieval splendor. The coronation services, solemn and imposing, were those handed down from the earlier centuries, and the actors in the principal and secondary roles of today's great function were garbed in reproductions of the multicolored, gold-embroidered trappings worn by their ancestors. The latter made a wonderfully effective setting around the central figures. 

Outside, the usually dull streets had been transformed into a mass of color. The King and Queen's progress to the Abbey and the route to Buckingham Palace was one unbroken ovation. The route was hedged with a vast ployglot host with a background of gaily decorated viewing stands and windows and roofs, all of which were crammed to their capacity. The pressure of the crowds was so intense at many points, that the police cordon was broken and the aid of troops was required to restore order. 

When dawn broke the skies were heavy and showers fell during the progress of the processions of the Royal guests and the junior members of the Royal family to the Abbey; but as the King and Queen left Buckingham Palace to be crowned, the heavens smiled and a flood of sunshine brightened the splendid pageant. It was a proud day in the British Empire, but of all its millions, the one who perhaps had the most reason to be proud, was denied by Court etiquette the joy of witnessing the triumphal event. At Sandringham Palace, Queen Mother Alexandra, who, forty-six years ago this month, gave Britain a King, awaited the news that her son had taken his place in the long line of British Monarchs.

Those who think the Britisher too cold blooded to enthuse, should have seen him “coronate” today. He is fit to stand beside the most rampant American “Fourth of July” or Gaelic celebrator of the anniversary of the proclamation of the republic. Hundreds of thousands of Americans, Germans, Frenchmen and natives of all lands, from China to Peru, joined the hustling throng and yielded themselves up with magnificent enthusiasm to the coronation glamour. – Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 1911

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

Etiquette for George V

Yards of ermine. ~ George V's Coronation portrait.

King George's Coronation Will Enrich the Ermine Trust

By W. B. Northrup

Most Gorgeous Coronation England Ever Saw

Calls for Distinctions Between Strawberry Leaves, Silver Balls, Jewels, Furs and Geegaws Which Lost Their Actual Meanings Generations Ago

London, Sept. 1910— Though King George's coronation will not take place till next June, active preparations, and even rehearsals for the great event are now well under way. Members of the English nobility are already making purchases of ermine and other necessary materials to be used during the elaborate and costly ceremonies. A significant fact in this connection is the present "'corner" in the ermine market; the price of this fur having gone up 50 per cent during the last month.

Ermine skins are now nearly $5 each instead $2.50, the price prevailing a few months ago. Crimson velvet, silk, and other materials necessary for the great state function are also rapidly advancing in price and court dress makers are rushing their orders so as to get them in before the further rise in price anticipated in the very near future. 

Several large firms of court jewelers have already received orders for fitting up crowns and coronets in conformity with the somewhat rigid requirements of English Court etiquette. 

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