Royal Questions of Etiquette

There are certain obstacles in the way, but it is hoped that they may not prove insurmountable. In the first place, a Court official of experience says, as the Prince of Wales represents the King, it would be unusual for him to visit any foreign country officially, except as the guest of that country's Chief of State or its government. King Edward personally is said to be strongly favorable to such a visit, yet he may be slow to establish a precedent which hereafter might lead to trouble or misunderstanding. – The Prince of Wales of 1902, would go on to become King George V, in 1910. He was the only “Emperor of India” to be present at his own Delhi Durbar.

Invitation to the Prince  

London is Surprised and Gratified – Serious Obstacles in the Way of His Acceptance – Questions of Etiquette May Interfere With His Being the Guest of the New York Chamber of Commerce—King Edward is Personally in Favor of the Visit

LONDON, April 7.—The suggestion that the Prince of Wales attend the dedication of the new home of the New York Chamber of Commerce excites the liveliest surprise here, coupled with satisfaction at the indication of good feeling on the part of the leading members of America's industrial community. Undoubtedly, it is hoped in political circles, that the expected invitation will be accepted. Inquiries have elicited the fact that in Royal Court, and official circles, it is recognized that there are certain obstacles in the way, but it is hoped that they may not prove insurmountable. In the first place, a Court official of experience says, as the Prince of Wales represents the King, it would be unusual for him to visit any foreign country officially, except as the guest of that country's Chief of State or its government. King Edward personally is said to be strongly favorable to such a visit, yet he may be slow to establish a precedent which hereafter might lead to trouble or misunderstanding. 

Then, the fact that other European Royal heirs apparent and persons of eminence have been invited, raises questions of etiquette which assume very serious dimensions in the eyes of Royalty and Court functionaries. It has been already arranged that the Prince shall go to India next winter to make a tour of the Empire and to attend the proclaiming of his father Emperor of that dependency. The Court official heretofore mentioned, points out that unless the Prince can visit New York on the way, it will be too great a strain on him to cross the Atlantic and back in the autumn, especially as heavy demands on his, by no means, robust constitution will be made by the Coronation festivities. Anyway, it is a fact that such a visit would be extremely popular here, and it is believed in Court circles that the King, who is well aware of the international advantages of such an interchange of courtesies, will do all in his power to accede to the New York Chamber of Commerce's hospitable invitation. – Los Angeles Herald, 1902

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

1908 Olympic Etiquette Breaches

Regardless of the flag etiquette controversy at 1908 Olympic Games, and the scoring issues, all countries returned for the 2012 London Olympics... but in 1908, some of the Irish competitors, who had been told to parade under a British flag, refused to march. Furious the stars and stripes were not flying from the stadium flagpoles, the American team marched into the stadium, but refused to dip their flag to the King. The Finns, who'd been instructed to carry a Russian flag, marched with no flag at all.

Olympic Teams Disgusted

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Action of British Committee in Changing Rules Arouses Great Criticism

Events of the last three days in the London Stadium during the progress of the Olympic games to establish the world’s championships in athletics have proved one point which has been a matter of general belief for years. The British people are hard losers. They are unfair losers. They have sought by all the most contemptible and petty devices they could think of to so arrange matters that they shall have a distinct advantage over all other nations in the competitions for the world’s figures.

Bringing to their shores the teams of the other countries for a world-wide competition, the Englishmen have changed conditions, introduced several features distinctly forbidden by the rules, and have displayed a spirit of petty jealousy and desire to be uppermost at all hazard, that has cost them the respect of all athletic bodies the world over. It is inconceivable that a body of strong-muscled and clear-minded men should descend to such smallnesses as have been exhibited in the last week at the Olympic Games. 

First, the visiting nations, and especially the Swedish and American teams, were offended by the careless omission of their flags from the colors of the Stadium on the opening day. This was a breach of etiquette that was unpardonable except among the boorish and thoughtless Englishmen. 

Scoring Rules Changed

Then followed the controversy over ruling regarding the scoring of points, which, when the Americans began to show up strongly in the lead, was also changed as to take in all sports outside the Stadium, and therefore give the home teams a decided advantage, from the common scoring system of five points for first, three for second place, and one for third place, the scoring was altered by the assistance of the London sporting papers to count only the winning place, for which one point was allowed. This system gives England a big lead, whereas by the other and commonly used method, the American team had the honors. 

Throughout all events the British sportsmen have exhibited a spirit of jealousy of good performances of other athletes which has made them objects of scorn. There is no question that the American athletes, as well as those of other nations, are thoroughly disgusted with their reception at the hands of the Englishmen, and the games of this year are probably last that will ever go to the British Isles. 

One thing is assured, that there will be no teams entered from at least three nations, in the event of any of these championships ever being held again in British territory. — Sacramento Union, 1908

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

Olympics Etiquette Breach

The 1932 Summer Olympics, (the Games of the X Olympiad) were held in Los Angeles. No other cities had made a bid to host. Many nations and athletes that would normally participate, were unable to pay for the trip, as they were held during a worldwide Great Depression. Those who did pay for the trip, felt personally snubbed by the President of the United States, due to his visible absence.

Did a U.S. President Medal in Rudeness?

The Los Angeles Illustrated Daily News quoted foreign athletes attending the Olympic games as saying that failure of President Hoover to open the games “seemed like a breach of international etiquette.” — Los Angeles, July 28, 1932

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

Etiquette Lurks in Closet

Etiquette was the skeleton lurking in the diplomatic closet! 

RED TAPE NEARLY SPOILS BIG SHOW

Lack of Formal Invitations Keeps Few Consuls From Meeting Secretary Knox

Reception to Foreign Consuls by Secretary Knox Marred by Breach of Code

There is a skeleton in the closet of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition company. It made its fearsome presence known yesterday for the first time, when it stalked into the midst of the ceremonies surrounding the visit of Secretary of State Philander C. Knox. By valiant effort on the part of exposition officials and members of the California Development board it was routed yesterday, but it threatens to become a frequent visitor before the gates of the great exposition are finally closed.

The name of this skeleton is Etiquette. Its ways are dark and its habits mysterious. It has bothered around in the open to a certain extent before, but never until yesterday did it threaten to disrupt the best laid plans of the men, who, in the name of San Francisco, are to be hosts to the world in 1915. Yesterday it raised the very deuce.

As Chief of the Department of State, Secretary Knox extended the official invitation of President Taft to the nations of the world to participate in the 1915 celebration. As a matter of courtesy to Secretary Knox, it was decided by those in charge of the arrangements for the latter's visit to San Francisco to invite the foreign consuls in San Francisco to meet the Secretary formally at a reception yesterday afternoon in the rooms of the California Development Board in the Ferry building.

For several days the plans for the entertainment of the Secretary have been given publicity through the newspapers, and one of the features of the program, as published, has been the reception of yesterday afternoon at which he was to be the guest of honor and the foreign consuls were to be presented. Monday afternoon the consular corps met, and it was then that the skeleton Etiquette broke from its closet and took a seat at the consular board. A member of the corps suggested that all foreign consuls should attend the reception in a body. "But have you been formally invited?" interrupted Etiquette. There was dead silence. 

Slowly the gravity of the situation dawned upon the local repreaentativea of the foreign powers. The meeting promptly went into executive session, but Etiquette stayed within. It was a solemn conclave that was held. Would It be proper to attend a reception to the Secretary of State in an official capacity without the most formal sort of a government invitation? Would it not be the safe way for the consuls to remain absent? Would it be better, possibly, to go as individuals and not as officials?

Etiquette moved to the head of the table and sat there chuckling. It was just the forerunner of many similar occasions which are bound to arise in San Francisco before the universal exposition passes into history. Etiquette was causing all sorts of trouble and paving the way for more. The meeting broke up without any definite decision.

Yesterday morning it was learned by the official hosts of Secretary Knox that Etiquette had escaped and run amuck, and there was a scurrying and a hurrying that betokened the utmost activity. All the consuls were telephoned to, and some of them promised to attend —but not ln an official capacity, mind you. The reception was held and the consuls were there—some of them. France. Russia, China. Japan and Argentina were among the nations represented, together with a dozen others, while Great Britain. German. Italy and several others did not answer to the roll call.

One explanation given was that no invitation at all had been extended other than that given through newspaper publication. Another explanation, however, was that Etiquette was entirely responsible. According to this rumor. Etiquette was peeved because a prescribed formula had not been complied with, and this formula was as follows:

First, the consul should have received an Invitation to meet Secretary Knox, whereupon a meeting of the corps should have been held, then a telegram should have been dispatched to the State Department in Washington setting forth the desire of the local foreign representatives to call upon the Secretary; the State Department should then have wired to Secretary Knox in San Francisco asking for an appointment for the consuls; Secretary Knox should have wired back to the State Department setting a time for the reception; the State Department should then have telegraphed the local consular corps of the decision, and the invitation should then have been accepted. This procedure was not followed. 

Some of the consuls said yesterday that it wasn't necessary at all. Others declared that it was overdrawn. Still another was mean enough to intimate that his confreres were putting on the airs of Ambassadors. In any event, Etiquette sat around yesterday afternoon and grinned. The skeleton in the closet. —The San Francisco Call, May 8, 1912

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