Old Italian and German Royal Etiquette

 “The King only speaks Italian and French, so the conversation is generally in those two languages. French, of course, is supposed to be a universal language.”  – Photo of Quirinal Palace in Italy taken by Wolfgang Moroder.

The dinners at the Quirinal Palace in Italy are far more simple as to etiquette than that of England. The same formality is observed in the entrance of the King and Queen, but the conversation is more general and the Queen does not wear her gloves. She converses in English fluently. The King only speaks Italian and French, so the conversation is generally in those two languages. French, of course, is supposed to be a universal language. 

The dinners of Germany are not long, but they are formal and tedious, and the cooking does not commend itself to all tastes. The perfection of a dinner is found in London, generally at the house of Ambassadors, who combine the Excellencies of all nations with the follies of none. After asking the consent of the ladies present, the Italian and Turkish embassies allow the smoking of cigarettes between the salad and dessert. This fashion prevails in France and Russia, ladies smoking quite freely as men. – Harpers Bazaar, 1887

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

More on Etiquette Fleeing Duchess

When the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess returned from their honeymoon, ladies set out to instruct the young lady, who is just 19 years old, in Court etiquette as observed at Saxe Weimar. The Princess, who is quite unconventional, resented this supervision. 

Princess Driven to Flee From Grand Duke’s Side by Tyranny

She Leaves the Court of Weimar Without Notice 

(Special to The Herald.) BERLIN, Aug. 11. —Court tyranny has driven the Grand Duchess of Saxe Weimar Eisenach from the side of her young husband. Without a word as to why or where she was going, the Duchess has fled from the palace at Weimar. It was only three months ago that Caroline, the daughter of Prince Henry of Reuss XXII, married the Grand Duke William Ernest of Saxe Weimar. It was looked upon as a pure love match, and Continental papers devoted much space to the romance. This sudden turn of affairs has created consternation in Court circles. 

The Grand Duke is said to be beside himself with annoyance. For several years a certain clique has predominated in the Court at Saxe Weimar. When the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess returned from their honeymoon, ladies set out to instruct the young lady, who is just 19 years old, in Court etiquette as observed at Saxe Weimar. The Princess, who is quite unconventional, resented this supervision. 

When she rebelled, this influential clique appears to have made trouble for her, and the Princess, finding she was a slave at her own Court, took flight. The role played by the Grand Duke is not clear, but it appears that the overbearing Courtiers are more than a match for him. One report has it that the Princess fled to Switzerland. It is certain that the Grand Duke has had all trains for Switzerland watched, and reports made to him. He even went so far as to take the train himself in following one of the rumors that his wife had been located. 

The German papers deal with the matter with much reserve, but in a way to leave no doubt regarding the general outlines of the story, The Reichsbote, one of the most conservative journals in Berlin, publishes a brief account. The Lokalanzeiger, a semi-official organ, discusses the affair in its court and society columns. The Tageblatt comments as follows: “The grand duchess, like every other woman, wants to be mistress of her own home, and the probable end of the conflict will be changes in the Grand Ducul household staff.” – Los Angeles Herald, 1903

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

Duchess Drama Due to Etiquette

The young Duchess is said to have tired of the tyranny of court etiquette and the criticisms of the elderly female courtiers
– Public domain image of the Grand Duke Sax Weimar Eisenbach

A Duchess Disappears

BERLIN, July 22.—Caroline, the wife of Grand Duke Sax Weimar Eisenbach, has fled after a marriage of only three months. With her husband she made a triumphal entry into Welmer at the beginning of June. The young Duchess is said to have tired of the tyranny of Court etiquette and the criticisms of the elderly female Courtiers, who charged her with extremely unconventional manners. – Stockton Record, 1903

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

Imperial Telephone Etiquette

The Emperor refuses to name himself at the opening of his conversation, as other people do. He "introduces" his telephoned orders merely with the words, "I command that," and so forth.

Emperor William II has his own Imperial way of using the telephone. Despite mistakes caused by the Emperor's refusal to name himself at the opening of his conversation, as other people do, he invariably introduces his telephoned orders merely with the words, "I command that," and so forth.

As soon as a chief of department hears these words, he motions that his subordinates must at once leave the room. The significance of this arrangement is supposed to be that the chief is having something of an audience with his Majesty, and that it would be presumptuous for a person not summoned, to hear the Imperial voice to occupy the room into which its tones are convoyed.

At the end of the conversation the Emperor walks away without saying "good by," and the chief with whom he has conversed must listen for five or six minutes afterward, to make sure that the Imperial orders have been completed. Then he calls back his assistants, and the usual etiquette is resumed. —New York Sun, 1893

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