Etiquette, Secrecy for Hosting Royals

Son of the Gilded Age financier, banking executive and philanthropist, John Pierpoint Morgan, Jack (J.P. Morgan Jr.) “developed a close relationship with King George VI, whom he first knew as Albert. Jack spent his summers in the United Kingdom, splitting his time between London, Hertfordshire, and Scotland. In 1914, Jack and his friend Eric Hambro, a British banker and politician, purchased a hunting lodge, Gannochy, in Scotland. Albert and Elizabeth, the future King and Queen of England, were frequent visitors to Gannochy. Thanks to the guest book that was maintained at the house, we can track the visits of the Royal family from 1934 to 1939. The couple often visited for a week in August to participate in the start of the grouse hunting season, and was usually accompanied by extended family, such as the Elphinstones and the Bowes-Lyons.” – From the JP Morgan Chase & Co. Alumni Network website, Cropped photograph of J.P. Morgan Jr. at a 1917 war bond parade. –Public domain image 

Morgan Menu for Royalty Secret

GANNOCHY LODGE, ELZELL, Scotland (AP)

King George and Queen Elizabeth enjoyed another outdoor picnic lunch today with an American host.

Last June 11, President and Mrs. Roosevelt entertained the Royal couple at Hyde Park, N. Y., with a picnic which introduced their majesties to “hot dogs”, an American staple separate and distinct from the sausage rolls of England.

Today their host was J. P. Morgan, whose house guests they are for several days of grouse shooting. The King and the banker were out early in sparkling sunshine with their guns and their game beaters. The Queen joined them on the heathery slopes at noon.

Servants spread a bountiful lunch from picnic hampers. The menu? That was a secret of the Morgan household. – San Pedro News Pilot, August, 1939

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

Entertaining Royals and Protocol

“ Prior to arrival of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, Mrs. Roosevelt says she received thousands of letters from Americans who were biting their fingernails in fear that the Roosevelts would be much too informal in entertaining the Royal visitors. ‘Don't serve hot dogs at the picnic,’ many letters warned. ‘Wouldn't it be advisable to employ a distinguished chef from one of the hotels to take charge of the White House kitchen during the visit of the royal couple?’ asked some of the correspondents.”

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Emily Post once served bar-b-que at an afternoon tea, so Etiquipedia feels that hot dogs can certainly be served nicely to visiting royalty, if done in a similar manner as that shown above. Instead of on paper plates as Eleanor Roosevelt served them, these hot dogs are served in American cut glass, antique celery servers and Gilded Age sterling and gilt, chow chow and piccalilli servers. The Norfolk Manor Piccalilli Relish is imported from England and the Rip Jax Chow Chow relish is a favorite in the American south– a perfect mix reflecting both countries!

Americans advise the Roosevelts as Hosts 

We do not know what advice Emily Post would give, but you can be reasonably sure that your manner is correct when meeting king or commoner if you will “just be natural.”

Prior to arrival of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, Mrs. Roosevelt says she received thousands of letters from Americans who were biting their fingernails in fear that the Roosevelts would be much too informal in entertaining the Royal visitors.

“Don't serve hot dogs at the picnic,” many letters warned.

“Wouldn't it be advisable to employ a distinguished chef from one of the hotels to take charge of the White House kitchen during the visit of the royal couple?” asked some of the correspondents.

Other letters urged Mrs. Roosevelt to do this and do that, and “don't do this and don't do that.”

All of which proves that the American people, realizing that the occupants of the White House are serving only as official hosts of the people, are eager to entertain these charming visitors in correct and hospitable manner.

This social responsibility is in capable hands, you may be sure. Perhaps we have never had any family in the White House more qualified to entertain royalty, for the Franklin D. Roosevelts have the background of experience which has convinced them that Kings and commoners alike feel more at ease when their hosts are “being natural.”

“How are you? So glad to see you!” said the President of the United States when he met King George at Washington's Union Station.

He could have said stiffly: “Your Majesty, on behalf of the people of the United States I welcome you to Washington.”

What better welcome could a King want than that perfectly natural expression: “So glad to see you!” – Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 10th, 1939

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

Usual Protocol Broken for Royalty

Presidential diplomacy took a unique turn when the Roosevelts entertained the King and Queen of England with hot dogs and beans served on paper plates, even though Americans can pleaded him not to do so! — “Hot Dog Au Fait – Since the King and Queen of England ate hot dogs at Hyde Park, there has been a sudden spurt in the sale of the ten-cent delicacies at the New York World’s Fair. They are being consumed at the rate of nearly 60,000 a day.”– National City Star-News, September 1, 1939

Rulers Enjoy Hot Dogs and Picnic Beans

Mrs. Roosevelt Serves Them on Paper Plates in Beautiful Hyde Park Grounds

KING TRIES HOT DOG AND ASKS FOR MORE

And He Drinks Beer With Them

Uses Own Camera to Snap Guests Photographing Him

HYDE PARK, N. Y., June 11. King George VI ate his first hot dog, was chauffeured by the President of the United States, and turned his own hand motion-picture camera against his photographers at a typical Roosevelt picnic party today on the slope of Dutchess Hill, where the Chief Executive's new stone cottage provided an informal backdrop for a high point of the visit of the British sovereigns with the nation’s First Family.

No reporters were present and regular photographers were barred from the party but every one present had a camera, and a detailed report of the party was given afterward by Michael J. McDermott, State Department liaison officer, who told how Mr. Roosevelt drove his own specially equipped automobile up Dutchess Hill from Hyde Park House with the King and Queen as his passengers. 

The King himself clinched the informality of the outing by going swimming with the President in the swimming with the President in the spring-fed tile pool on the lawn of Mrs. Roosevelt’s Val Kill cottage, across the road from the family home. There were no other swimmers, other guests who came from the picnic to have tea at the Val Kill cottage remaining about the lawn.

After the swim the President, accompanied by the King and Queen and his daughter-in-law, Mrs. James Roosevelt, completed the afternoon by motoring down to the Hudson River banks of the Hyde. Park estate to view the first-growth timber in which the Chief Executive takes great pride. The group returned to the family home at 6:10 P. M. to prepare for dinner.

It was disclosed, meanwhile, that the King had gone swimming at the White House with the President on Friday afternoon in the pool in the west wing of the mansion. This occurred after the Friday afternoon tea given on the south lawn of the White House, it was explained. 

The picnic was a big event for all concerned and the King and Queen rounded out a most democratic interlude shaking hands with the retainers of the Roosevelt homestead from the family cook, Miss Mary Campbell, to the keeper of the roads, Frank Drice, who was on hand with nine of his ten children. It would be difficult to imagine a more representative cross section of American democracy than was to be found among the relatives, friends and neighbors of the Roosevelts who received invitations to the picnic.

Nor is it likely that the subjects of the King and Queen will often see their sovereigns in such an informal mood. The King was attired in a dark brown sport coat and dark gray slacks with light colored shirt and four-in-hand tie, while the Queen wore a challis print with a light gray background.

Completing her costume was a gray straw hat with high crown. and straight, narrow brim trimmed in flowers. She wore gray stockings and slippers. There was one large gardenia on her left shoulder, the only ornament with which the Queen minimized the in formality of her attire.

The hundred and fifty persons invited to the picnic had been told not to extend their hands in meeting the King and Queen nor on being presented to the President and Mrs. Roosevelt and his mother. The Royal visitors set the tempo of the afternoon, however, by offering their hands to the first third of those in the reception line and the Roosevelts followed suit. Near the end this was abandoned at the President’s wish in deference to the fatigue which the Royal visitors have undergone on their long trip, and the guests bowed instead when presented.

The President's mother, Mrs. James Roosevelt, mingled freely with all the guests and occasionally left her table on the cottage porch to go down among the trees which grow in profusion in front of the President’s retreat overlooking the Hudson River about three miles from the cast bank. 

Tables Set Up on the Porch

The royal visitors and the other principal guests did not have to hold paper plates in their laps. Tables had been arranged for them about the front porch under its gently sloping Dutch colonial roof. At the first table were seated the President, Queen Elizabeth, Mrs. Herbert H. Lehman and Secretary Morgenthau. 

At the No. 2 table were the King, the President's mother, Governor Lehman and Mrs. Morgenthau. Sir Ronald Lindsay, the British Ambassador, did the honors at the third table, around which sat Mrs. Vincent Astor, Mrs. Henry St. George Tucker, wife of the presiding American Episcopal Bishop, and the Canadian Prime Minister, W. L. Mackenzie King.

Lady Lindsay, wife of the Ambassador; Mrs. Price Collier, sister of the President's mother; Bishop Tucker and Gerald Morgan were at the fourth table. At the next were Mrs. Morgan, Lady Nunburnholme, the chief Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen; the Earl of Eldon, Lord-in-Waiting to the King, and Lydig Hoyt.

Mrs. Myron Taylor was at the sixth table with Mrs. Lydig Hoyt, the Earl of Airlie, Lord Chamberlain, to the Queen, and Lieut. Col. the Hon. Piers W. Legh, equerry to the King.

Lady Katharine Seymour, Lady-in Waiting to the Queen, was at table No. 7 with Mrs. Tracy Dows, Major Henry Hooker, a long-time friend of the Roosevelts, and James Roosevelt, eldest son of the President, whose wife joined her mother-in law, Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, in going from table to table and among the guests on the lawn to see that all were comfortable in their folding chairs.

King Enjoys the Fare

It was with some obvious misgivings that Mr. McDermott first conceded, in answer to questions, that the King had eaten hot dogs at the picnic. He said that it was safe to assume that the King had done so since he had announced that he had been looking forward to the chance of sampling the favorite American snack.

Later it was ascertained that the King not only came back for more hot-dog sandwiches but that he drank beer with them, the beer being served from a tap manned by experts from near-by Poughkeepsie.

Added to the picnic fare were cold ham from various sections of the country, smoked and plain roast turkey, lettuce and tomato salad, soft drinks, hot and iced coffee and iced tea. The orange and lime soda pop seemed the favorite beverage of those who stood or sat about the lawn or amid the shade trees, although a number of guests followed the example of the King and drank beer.

The President was attired in a light gray suit and wore a four-in-hand tie at the party. His mother did not change from the costume she wore at the church services in the morning and appeared at the picnic in the same white figured dress with black background.

The President, accompanied by the Queen in the front seat of his open car, and with Mrs. James Roosevelt beside the King in the rear seat, left Hyde Park House about 1 o’clock, Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt had gone on ahead to complete preparations at the cottage. The dusty dirt roads leading up to the Dutchess Hill cottage were alive with army regulars standing at attention as the President’s car passed by. Portable telephones had been posted on trees along the roads to signal the approach of the party.

Entertained by Indians

It was not until a few minutes before 4 o’clock that the party left the Dutchess Hill cottage to again motor down the hill, with the President at the wheel of the first car, to the Val Kill cottage of Mrs. Roosevelt for the tea at which the President and the King found the opportunity for their swim.

A feature of the picnic was a typically American entertainment program at which two native Indians alternately gave interpretative readings on Indian folk lore and the tribal songs of a by-gone age.

Princess Te-Ata did the readings. much to the delight of the royal visitors, and Ish-Ti-Opi American. Indian baritone, gave the songs. Edward Pflegler played the piano, and Kurucks Pahitu, another Indian, the tom-toms. The Indian artists were dressed in full tribal regalia.

Near the end of the party the King noticed many of the guests. training their cameras on him. Apparently on the theory that sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander the King picked up his own hand camera and photographed his photographers. He had been using the camera earlier to take pictures of the Indian entertainers.

Among the happiest guests of the Roosevelts at the picnic were the ten women members of the White House executive staff who were singled out by the President to be introduced to the King and Queen. They included Miss Marguerite Le Hand, his private secretary; Miss Malvina C. Thompson, secretary to Mrs. Roosevelt; Mrs. James M. Helm, White House social secretary; Miss Grace Tully, Miss Roberta Barrows, Miss Louise Hachmeister, Mrs. Mary A. Eben, Miss Toinette Bachelder, Mrs. Dorothy J. Brady and Miss Edith L. Rowley. – The New York Times, June 1939 and the National City Star News, 1939

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

Etiquette and Entertaining Royalty

A visit from the King and Queen was fraught with expenses, and one could not turn down the request for a visit. The cost of entertaining during a royal visit in the Edwardian era could run up thousands in extra expenses, like the extra food and drink. When the Duke and Duchess of Manchester were honored by Edward's presence in 1904, newspapers estimated that the cost of the visit was $150,000.00 American dollars. That is nearly $5,000,000. In today’s dollars. And 16 new frocks would be needed as, “One could not wear the same ensemble twice, and what reasonable woman would not want completely new outfits for such a momentous occasion? Sixteen new ensembles (four dresses for each of four days) from, say, Worth would substantially increase the cost of a royal visit.”

When the Manchesters were honored by Edward's presence in 1904, newspapers estimated that the cost of the visit was $150,000, paid of course by the Duchess's papa, Mr. Zimmerman, who had bought Kylemore for Duchess Helena.

Part of the cost was dressing the part. The King, for a week's stay, would be bringing forty suits or uniforms and at least twenty pairs of shoes and boots, and costumes were expected to be splendid in his presence. Consuelo Marlborough remembers at least four changes of clothes: an elegant silk costume for breakfast in the dining room, a tweed suit for lunch with the “guns” (the men who were shooting), a tea gown, and the most formal brocade or velvet evening dress with the grandest jewels possible (always includ ing a tiara) for dinner.

One could not wear the same ensemble twice, and what reasonable woman would not want completely new outfits for such a momentous occasion? Sixteen new ensembles (four dresses for each of four days) from, say, Worth would substantially increase the cost of a royal visit. — From “To Marry an English Lord,” Gail MacColl and McD. Wallace, 2012

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

Spanish Princess Charms the U.S.

 

“Grace is better than formalism. This is the moral of Eulalia’s example, and the truth applies to other things than manners. There is a good deal of formal moralism in this country that is about as useless and uncomfortable as the etiquette of old Spain.” 

Eulalia’s Example

There are many signs that the Columbian Exposition is going to affect the beginning of a radical change in many of our conventional and most cherished ideas. Begun as an industrial exposition to show the growth of the civilized world in material comfort during the last four hundred years, it has become already much more interesting from an esthetic than from an industrial point of view. 

Vast as are the wonders, and we might almost say the miracles, wrought by mechanism and electricity that are displayed at the Great Fair, the things that have most concerned the public mind have not been matters of work and energy, but matters of conduct and enjoyment. It is the ‘nude art’ and the ‘open Sunday’ that have chiefly engaged the attention of our people. The discussions that have aroused interest have not been how shall we increase wealth and multiply luxuries, but how we shall make our conventional morals conform to the growing desire for beauty and for enjoyment. 

We do not intend to go over again this morning the old arguments for or against the essential purity of beauty even when exhibited in the undraped human form, nor recall the arguments on one side or the other, concerning the use of Sunday as a holiday or a holy day. With all phases of these debates our readers are sufficiently acquainted and would hardly be grateful for another direct review of them, it will be interesting, however, to consider them for a moment indirectly, and to catch, as it were, a glimpse of them in distant perspective, seen as a background to something else that harmonizes with them and in a way illumes them. We would ask our readers, then, to consider for a moment how these old issues appear in the light of Eulalia’s example? 

The subject deserves an essay, but we can do no more than sketch the outlines. Let it be remembered how, when it was first announced that the Princess Eulalia was coming to America, there broke out everywhere a portentuous discussion as to how we should receive Spanish royalty. We heard a great deal about the formal etiquette of the majestic Court of the Escurial. Diplomatists debated who should receive her, and how and when and where. Ward McAllister issued a manifesto on the subject. Society studied and argued, and Statesmen took to gossiping about it. Everybody who would be immediately concerned in receiving the Princess, seemed to be in a nervous dread of the approaching ordeal, and when at one time it was announced that she was not coming at all because her hauteur had been offended by a lack of sufficient reverance for her august station, many of our dignitaries and our social leaders drew a breath of relief in the momentary hope that the danger was over and that our Republican manners would not be subjected to the fearful strain. 

The Princess came, however, in due season, and the trembling world of New York went out to meet her. It went prepared with bows and curtsies and genuflexions to do her honor. To the amazement of everybody, the Princess came forward and shook hands with those who welcomed her and began at once to talk like a woman who is glad to be alive. She not only showed no hauteur, but manifested a genuine Democratic expectation of a good time. She stood up on her carriage and blew kisses to a New York crowd until it nearly went crazy with rapture. She did the same thing in Washington. She never said a word about Cleveland’s not returning her call, nor raised a single question of etiquette. 

On her visit to West Point, she showed a gentle graciousness to the widow of General Grant by running back into the hotel at the last moment to shake hands with her and bid her good bye. A similar graceful act was shown on Decoration Day, when she drove out Riverside Avenue to lay with her own hands a wreath upon the tomb of Grant. She turned, moreover, from affairs of State to ordinary life with an equal gaiety. She went to the horse races and bet on the favorite. When she lost, she laughed; and when she won, she ordered the money to be given to the poor. She dined at a racing banquet merrily, and when it was over and cigars were passed round, she lit a cigarette and stayed with the company. 

In short, she has shown nothing of the conventional dignity of royalty, but everything of the natural grace of a happy and lively going womanhood. This exemplar of royal conduct, coming into the country at the exact moment when we are discussing how far conventional ideas may be thrown aside in order to give free play to the artistic and joyous faculties, cannot fail to exert a considerable influence on the public mind. How unpleasant was our conception of Spanish royalty! How pleasing has been our experience of Spanish grace! Perhaps we may learn from this that if we can get rid of our formal art and our formal Sunday, we may find in place of them a grace ot life far happier and far better for the world. 

Eulalia’s example shows what a womanhood unrestrained by conventional etiquette can do. It is a womanhood full of charm for the crowd, full of dignity for official rank, full of gentle reverence for the aged woman, full of honor for the illustrious dead, and yet withal not too high and good to love the pleasant things of life and enjoy them with all her heart. Much that she has done, will seem to our ideas more like a soubrette than a Princess, and yet it cannot be denied that it is much better than the stiff and stately etiquette that we feared. 

Grace is better than formalism. This is the moral of Eulalia’s example, and the truth applies to other things than manners. There is a good deal of formal moralism in this country that is about as useless and uncomfortable as the etiquette of old Spain. There is no reason why the growing artistic spirit of America should remain forever fettered by old ideas. There is no reason why it should not break loose from conventional trammels in this Columbian year and disport itself as freely and as gracefully for the joy of all as our royal visitor has done in her frank acceptance of our Democratic ways. — San Jose Mercury News, 1893

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

On Perfecting Royal Etiquette Points

Clearly, New Yorkers dropped the ball with regard to hosting her Highness properly and with the expected etiquette, when she was in New York. 

Giving points to Chicago – Commander Davis Instructs Mrs. Potter Palmer

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He explains in detail how the Infanta shall be received, and whom she may, and may not meet — New Yorkers made some bad mistakes, he says, because of their ignorance of etiquette — A Manual of Manners by the President’s Personal Representative

Commander Charles Henry Davis, United States Navy, representing the President of the United States near the person of Infanta Eulalia, spent a very busy day yesterday with his correspondence. Several of the letters he wrote were of some importance. One was to Mrs. Potter Palmer of Chicago telling her how to behave when she received the Princess. The letter is as follows:


“Out of consideration to American customs and the objection in this country to traveling on Sunday, her Royal Highness will leave for Chicago on Monday instead of on Sunday, as previously arranged, and will arrive at Chicago one day later. This will make some change in the programme arranged for her reception. I have promised the Mayor of Chicago and others that you should have the honor of giving the first reception to her Royal Highness. I have telegraphed the Mayor asking him to consult with you as to the order of how entertainment for the first few days will take place. Will you and the Mayor and Mr. Higginbotham arrange among yourselves, so that the programme may be perfectly clear when we arrive?


“I'll have also to request that there be no entertainments upon the hour of her arrival. Her Highness suffers a great deal from fatigue, and has to be very careful not to overexert, and I'm afraid she will find the long railroad journey so tedious that she will not be fit to take part in a big function immediately after her arrival. With this single restriction I leave the matter entirely in the hands of yourselves. With regard to your customs, I should say that you might ask as many people to your reception as you think ought to be presented to her Highness. The mere fatigue of receiving people is not serious, but you will, of course, provide an apartment to which her Highness can retire at any moment. If she feels tired she would not hesitate to exercise her prerogative of privacy.


“At the reception given by the Spanish colony here in New York the Prince and Princess stood on a platform raised about six inches above the floor and with a couple of armchairs behind them. I do not consider this at all obligatory upon you, and it might be considered as contrary to our own customs. You can do just as you please about this. Her Highness is sensible enough to take things in this country as she finds them. You should meet the Infanta at the door of your own house. I will explain this better by word of mouth.


“Will you kindly warn the good people of Chicago that when they are presented, they are presented to her husband as well, who stands by her side and who is a Prince of Royal blood? People when presented should bow to each. They have made the mistake here in New York of almost ignoring the Prince and greeting the Princess alone. The Princess will not shake hands except with persons that she knows or whom she desires to meet. The formality of presentation consists simply in calling the name of the people as they advance, who then bow and pass on, avoiding, if possible, turning their backs to their Royal Highnesses.


“You would naturally make the presentation in your own house. This could be done through me if you so desire. After the formal reception a supper should be provided at a separate table, and a separate room, for the Royal party. This table might accommodate twenty or thirty people, to be named by you. The members of her own suite always sit with her in this country, and I can give you a few words of instruction on the relative importance and the proper places for them to sit at the table when I meet you.


“If her Highness insisted upon the etiquette to which she is accustomed at home, a reception to her in an American home would be a simple impossibility. You can easily understand that it is an utter impossibility for a lady in so conspicuous a position as that of her Royal Highness to meet and know all of the persons in the city who would like to know her, or even are entitled to know her. So I would advise you to make the list of those for whom you desire a special presentation as exclusive as possible.” — The New York Times, 1893

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

Etiquette, Parties and the Royal Tab

A depiction of the beautiful chapel at Blenheim Palace where the young Duchess worships.– “At all house parties honored by the Prince, he has the privilege, by one of those unwritten laws in the code of etiquette, to name the guests, and usually this list has included several titled Ladies whose names have been linked altogether too closely with that of the Prince for his wife's liking. This is one of the principle reasons why the Princess has declined to visit the country homes of the Nobility. It would be most embarrassing for her to meet any of these Ladies, and humiliating to be forced to treat them with ordinary civility.”

Blenheim’s Grand Fete

 Vanderbilt’s Dollars Will Foot the Bills 

A Gala Lasting Five Days to Cater to Royalty's Pleasure and Gratify Pride –The Girl Duchess, Consuelo, Had the Rare Distinction of Entertaining the Princess

LONDON, Nov. 27.—Consuelo, the American Duchess of Marlborough, made her real and grand entree to British society on November 23d. It was a great day for the Marlboroughs, a greater day for the historic old Blenheim, and the greatest day of all for the House of Vanderbilt. A home party was given at Blenheim from the 23d to the 27th of the month, which eclipsed anything of the kind that the people of England have seen in many a long day. For five days, from Monday to Friday, inclusive, the great structure sheltered more of unreal powers of the British swelldom than are often gathered under one roof. 

The leading guests were the Prince and Princess of Wales, and right here it should be stated that it is a premier honor for the Princess to grace a house party. Within the past half dozen years she has not been a member of more than three or four house parties, and these were given by her oldest and most intimate friends. Ordinarily, the intimates of the Prince are not honored with the friendship of the Princess. They are too gay and frivolous for the sober dignity of the lady and moreover, some of the husband's choicest friends have reputations which deny them admittance to that division of society which prides itself upon genuine respectability. 

At all house parties honored by the Prince, he has the privilege, by one of those unwritten laws in the code of etiquette, to name the guests, and usually this list has included several titled Ladies whose names have been linked altogether too closely with that of the Prince for his wife's liking. This is one of the principle reasons why the Princess has declined to visit the country homes of the Nobility. It would be most embarrassing for her to meet any of these Ladies, and humiliating to be forced to treat them with ordinary civility. 

An Irreproachable List

But there was no danger of anything like this happening at Blenheim. The list of guests was absolutely irreproachable. It included the very cream of the peerage, the principal guests being the Duke and Duchess of Abereorn, the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, the Dowager Duchess of Marlborough, Lord and Lady Lansdowne, Lord and Lady Londonderry, Lady Blandford and her daughters, Lord and Lady Pembroke, Lord Durham, Lord and Lady Wimborne, Lord and Lady Georgiana Curzon and Sir George and Lady Julia Wombwell. These are all the intimate friends of the Princess, and it is shrewdly suspected that she made out the list of guests this time, instead of her husband. There was a big crowd of country notables at Blenheim on the evening of Thursday, the 26th, when the annual county ball would be given. But these folks are not of the caliber which causes the domestic worries of the Princess, and this important event passed off as it had been planned.

“Entertaining the Prince of Wales and a select company of Dukes and Duchesses is not a responsibility to be lightly assumed. The Prince is practically the master of the house during his stay. That is British etiquette. The family chef consults with the Secretary of His Royal Highness each day and reserves orders for the menu for the day. The cost never bothers the Prince, he is notoriously careless about heaping up bills which he must pay himself, and when it comes to accumulating bills for other people to pay, his carelessness is quite remarkable. Not only does he control the chef and the caretaker of the wine cellar, but he maps out the amusements for each day.” 

Interesting for Americans 

Americans should be deeply interested in this fete at Blenheim, for the single reason that American dollars will foot the bills. And these bills will amount to a pretty penny. Entertaining the Prince of Wales and a select company of Dukes and Duchesses is not a responsibility to be lightly assumed. The Prince is practically the master of the house during his stay. That is British etiquette. The family chef consults with the Secretary of His Royal Highness each day and reserves orders for the menu for the day. The cost never bothers the Prince, he is notoriously careless about heaping up bills which he must pay himself, and when it comes to accumulating bills for other people to pay, his carelessness is quite remarkable. Not only does he control the chef and the caretaker of the wine cellar, but he maps out the amusements for each day. 

Lord Lonsdale has spent $200,000 in a single week in entertaining the Prince, and it is fair to assume that the expenses at Blenheim during the great fete will not fall much below that stupendous figure. Even for a Vanderbilt, this is an enormous amount to get rid of in a single week. It is understood, however, that  Mr. William K. Vanderbilt, father of the young Duchess, has determined that nothing shall be lacking in a financial way to make his daughter's social success absolute. As is well known, the young Duke has next to nothing in the way of available money. All of his wealth is entailed and the property sadly run down by the extravagant encroachments made upon it during the careless lifetime of his father.

A Beautiful Chapel

Already a good half million dollars have been spent by the young Duchess in furbishing up the great house and in covering up the spots made barren by the late Duke, when a money-raising fit seized him. Particular attention has been paid by the Duchess to the private chapel in Blenheim, one of the most beautiful interiors of its kind in the country. In the days of the former Duke, this chapel was more of a mockery than anything else, but the Duchess Consuelo is religiously inclined, and the Sunday services are held there regularly. It would be well worth a journey to Blenheim to see the chapel alone. Its most conspicuous feature is the tomb of the first Duke and Duchess, the builders of Blenheim. It faces the pews occupied by the Ducal party, and is a gigantic mass of beautifully sculptured marble. The pulpit stands just to the left of the entrance doors and a dozen pews for other worshipers.

It is beginning to be regarded as somewhat strange that Mrs. Belmont, mother of the Duchess, and Mr. Belmont, have not yet been guests at Blenheim, and some people hint that the young Duke is not anxious for the friendship of his mother-in-law's second husband. If it turns out to be true that the Belmonts have purchased a country place in England, the young Duke will be forced to declare his position in regard to the Belmonts one way or the other. At any rate, the position of the young Duchess will be firmly established in British society by the house party, and the croakers who predict a complete failure for her at the time of her marriage, will be proven false prophets. – Los Angeles Herald, 1896 

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

Etiquette and Entertaining Royalty

It is a most unusual thing for the Sovereign and his consort to both be guests of a commoner at the same time. A few months ago, the King spent a week-end with this popular couple, and the Queen was entertained by them when she was the Princess of Wales. Of course, Mrs. James plays an excellent game of bridge. She is also a clever amateur actress and shares with the King his fondness for yachting.

To Be Host to the King and Queen – Willie James is to Enjoy the Honor of a Visit This Month 

LONDON, Nov. 19. — The announcement that the King and Queen will visit Mr. and Mrs. Willie James at West Dean Park, Chichester, this month is regarded as an exceptional mark of Royal favor, for it is a most unusual thing for the Sovereign and his consort to both be guests of a commoner, at the same time. A few months ago the King spent a week-end with this popular couple, and the Queen was entertained by them when she was the Princess of Wales. Of course, Mrs. James plays an excellent game of bridge. She is also a clever amateur actress and shares with the King his fondness for yachting. Mr. James, by the way, is of American descent.

Another house which the King will probably visit soon again is Rufford Abbey, the Nottinghamshire seat of Lord and Lady Saville. He recently told a friend, and that friend told others, why he finds a charm in Rufford Abbey that is conspicuously absent from several other aristocratic countryhouses which he visits. It is because at Rufford Abbey his host and hostess treat him much as an ordinary guest, while still observing those points of etiquette which are always associated with Royalty. 

At most places where he is entertained, a gorgeous flunkey is at every door through which he is likely to pass, to open it for him with a profound obeisance. At Rufford he is allowed to open doors himself, and can stroll about the house or the grounds without having it thrust upon him at every turn, that he is regarded as a special object of reverence and adulation. –  San Francisco Call, 1904

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