A Royal Gaffe and King’s Displeasure

Danish King Christian IX – Christian IX was the King of Denmark from 1862 until his death in 1906. Wed to his second cousin, Princess Louise of Hesse-Kassel, he was nicknamed “the father-in-law of Europe” after their six children married into other royal families across the continent. His reign was marred by political disputes early on, making him tremendously unpopular with his subjects. However, toward the end of his 44 year reign he was viewed in a much more popular light, giving him an iconic status by the time of his death.

From ‘The Gossip’ the following story is told of a visit by Captain Alexander Murray, of the American Navy, to the King of Denmark: The King remarked to his guests that this was a residence he had owned while a private gentleman, and he was sure they would appreciate his receiving them there as a higher compliment and a greater sense of his friendship for their country than if he had treated them with more ceremony. This country house was built of white marble, with French windows opening upon a verdant lawn, and in size and appointment not much superior to the country residence of some of our merchant princes. 

After the preliminary course had been dispatched, his Majesty filled an immense goblet and, with a grand sweep of his arm, designed as a signal to the band stationed on the lawn in full view of the windows, he proposed, “The United States of America!” Crash went the instruments, but to the horror of all present, instead of pouring forth, as had been intended, one of Columbia’snational airs, they struck up a ponderous melody of “Scandinavia.” The King said “never a word,” but putting down his glass he strode through the open window on to the lawn, and seised the bandmaster by the collar, kicked him around the inclosure several times, and dismissing him at last with a rigorous shake, walked quietly back to his seat. 

As may be supposed, a sudden silence toll upon the assembled company, the code of etiquette furnishing no rule or precedent whereby guests might guide themselves when royal hosts kicked their band-masters. Our worthy representatives relied upon a state of masterly inactivity, and fortunately the delinquent leader soon scrambled to his place and gave them a full blast of Democratic harmony. – Sacramento Daily Union, 1871

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

Manners of Princess Wins Hearts

“The conduct of the Princess of Wales at Cambridge won the hearts of all who came in contact with her, or even looked upon her.”

The Princess Alexandra at Cambridge

Here is a pleasant account of the Princess of Wales’ recent visit to the University town of Cambridge : “The conduct of the Princess of Wales at Cambridge won the hearts of all who came in contact with her, or even looked upon her. ‘The true secret,’ says an observer, ‘lies in the Princess’ simplicity of manner, in the openness and unrestrainedness of her enjoyment, in the freedom with which she shows her delight in the enjoyment and festivity of which she is the centre.’ It is impossible to imagine a more marked contrast than between the Princess and the great ladies of her suite. She seems an impersonation of simplicity, freedom, and capacity for enjoyment, besides their more artificial manners and guinde bearing. I suppose she would be even open to censure by admirers of what is called aristocratic breeding, for want of restrainedness and repose, and of the power of concealing her pleasure. 

“But there is something inexpressibly delightful in this spontaneousness. It seems to tell of her earlier years, of narrow fortunes, simple habits, small state, and scanty pleasures, and one cannot but wish that it may long survive the influence of English Court etiquette, and the freezing fettering, soul-subduing influences of English Court life. An account is given of an under graduate who, in imitation of Raleigh's gallantry to Queen Elizabeth, spread his gown on the pathway for the Princess to walk on. The Princess paused for a moment, as if puzzled and startled by the sudden act of superfluous devotion; but when one of the suite had whispered a word of explanation, it was charming to see how sedulously she lifted her dress to show the dazzled and rather abashed proprietor of the purple toga of Trinity that she was actually setting her foot on the gown, bowing her acknowledgment to him at the same time.” — Los Angeles Star, 1864

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

Etiquette According to One Queen

Louise of Hesse-Kassel was Queen of Denmark. She died in 1898 – At the royal table, to which her children were not admitted before their tenth year, they were not allowed to ask for anything, but had to wait until they were served, according to age, by the steward. If something was served which they did not like, they were forbidden to open their mouths about it, and had to eat a little of it for “politeness' sake,” and out of regard for table manners. “Those who are to rule in the world, must first taste rule themselves, and find out what it means to obey without murmur,” said the Queen.

Denmark’s Late-Queen and Mother... One of the Oldest and Best-Liked Royalties of the Old World 

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Strict Discipline Under Which Her Children Were Brought Up 

It was said of the late Queen Louise of Denmark, that next to Queen Victoria, she of all women in Europe exerted the strongest influence in the politics of the continent. “She is the female Bismarck of Europe!” exclaimed Bismarck himself once, in admiration of her diplomacy and political foresight. Her daughters became Princess of Wales, Empress of Russia and Duchess of Cumberland. One of her sons is the King of Greece; another, the Crown Prince, married the daughter of the rich Carl XV, King of Sweden, and the third is the husband of the Princess of Orleans, the daughter of the Duke of Chartres. These alliances put into the hands of Queen Louise many wires, whereby she kept in touch with Russia, England and France.

King Christian, being too easy-going, the Queen took upon herself the task of educating and disciplining her children. She was both their mother and their Queen. She taught her daughters housekeeping, dressmaking and the art of spending money. The sons were trained to keep an account of every penny they spent out of their weekly allowance, to dress plainly, and to be courteous to inferiors. 

A writer, a Danish Baron, thus describes the Queen's family discipline: While a mere boy, her eldest son, the Crown Prince, was caught trying to get the better of one of the sentries of the Royal Guard, of whom the little Prince demanded that he should present arms to him. According to Court etiquette, a royal child is entitled to a “shoulder arms” salute until its confirmation, when “present arms” is the salute given. The boy Prince demanded the latter salute, but the sentry stuck to his orders. The Queen obliged the Prince to go down and ask the soldier's pardon “for unbefitting attitude and rudeness,” and having done this properly, he was locked into his room for two days. 

At the royal table, to which her children were not admitted before their tenth year, they were not allowed to ask for anything, but had to wait until they were served, according to age, by the steward. If something was served which they did not like, they were forbidden to open their mouths about it, and had to eat a little of it for “politeness' sake,” and out of regard for table manners. “Those who are to rule in the world, must first taste rule themselves, and find out what it means to obey without murmur,” said the Queen.

When her youngest son, Prince Waldemar, married the Princess of Orleans, the young lady at once moved about in the castle as though she did not know that there was a Queen above her. During a hunt, the Princess’s horse fell, and gathering her skirts “rather high,” the intrepid girl jumped the ditch herself and took another horse. The Queen found it out. The following morning, the Princess woke to find herself a prisoner in her own bedroom. A message from the Queen was handed her by a sentry, informing her that by jumping the ditch in such fashion, she had been guilty of breach of Court etiquette, and must consider herself a prisoner for seven days.

Another time, the saucy Princess drove out with the royal children, and dismissed her driver and footman at the first Inn outside the city. Somehow the horses got frightened, overturned the carriage and “spilled” the Princess and the children on the highway. They were picked up by a peasant, who brought them to the city. The Princess laughed, the children cried, and the Queen ordered the arrest of the Princess at once, and detained her in her bedroom for fourteen days. I may add that by this time Princess Marie is fully cured, and is doubtless now mourning the loss of Grandma Louise, who was, after all, a splendid teacher. – Sausalito News, 1899

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

Etiquette Breach Grounds Princess

Queen Louise of Hesse-Kassel in centre, with her daughter Alexandra, Princess of Wales, and granddaughter Louise

The Incorrigible Princess d'Orleans

When the Queen of Denmark's youngest son, Prince Valdemar, married the Princess d'Orleans, this incorrigible young woman at once evinced her inborn desire for independence, and moved about in the castle as though she never knew that there was a Queen above her. During a hunt the Princess' horse fell, and, gathering her skirts "rather high," the intrepid girl jumped the ditch herself and took another horse. The Queen found it out. The following morning the Princess woke up to find herself a prisoner in her own bedroom. 

A message from the Queen was handed her by a sentry, informing her that by jumping the ditch in such fashion she was guilty of breach of Court etiquette, and had to consider herself a prisoner for seven days. Another time the saucy Princess drove out with the Royal children, and dismissed her driver and footman at the first inn outside the city. Somehow the horses got frightened, overturned the carriage and "spilled" the Princess and the children on the highway. They were picked up by a peasant, who brought them to the city. The Princess laughed, the children cried, and the Queen ordered the arrest of the Princess at once, and detained her in her bedroom for fourteen consecutive days.—Boston Evening Transcript, 1898

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

A Danish Queen's Etiquette

Louise of Hesse-Kassel (Louise Wilhelmine Frederikke Caroline Auguste Julie), was Queen of Denmark, as the wife of King Christian IX of Denmark. She died in 1898

She Made the Little Prince Apologize

The Queen of Denmark was strict as a military commander and tolerated no opposition to her will or moderation of such punishment as she dealt out to her children. While a mere boy her eldest son, the Crown Prince, was caught one day trying to bamboozle one of the sentries of the Royal Guard, of whom the little Prince demanded that he should present arms for him. 

According to court etiquette, a royal child is entitled to a “shoulder arms” salute until his confirmation, when “present arms” is the salute to be given by all sentries. The boy Prince demanded the latter salute, but the sentry stuck to his orders and refused to obey the request. 

The Queen obliged the Prince to go down and ask the soldier’s pardon “for unbefitting attitude and rudeness,” and having done this properly, he was locked into his room for two consecutive days. —Boston Transcript, 1898

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