Diplomat Broke Royal Court Etiquette

The real identity of Diplomat, “Multy Millions,” may never be known. His name is not mentioned in the article or the story– In 1867, a serious illness accentuated a hereditary deafness that Alexandra suffered from and also left her lame. In turn, she devoted much of her time, and also her income, to the poor and suffering. As Queen, Alexandra founded the Imperial Military Nursing Service in 1902 and started Alexandra Rose Day to raise funds for British hospitals.

Royal Court Etiquette:

“Multy Millions” Fractured It and Lost His Diplomatic Post

A witty New York society man said, at a dinner, apropos of court etiquette: “Court etiquette is, after all, very like ordinary etiquette-the laws of common sense govern it.

“Did you ever hear how Multy Millions lost his under secretaryship at our legation in London? Multy deserved his fate. His common sense was lamentably lacking.

“It happened years and years ago. King Edward had just come into his own, and Multy Millions was dining for the first time at Buckingham Palace.

“The dinner was a state one. The splendid gold plate from Windsor glittered on table and sideboard. To Multy, when the entremets came on, the deaf Queen Alexandra asked: ‘How long have you been living abroad, Mr. Millions?’

‘Four years, ma'am,’ Multy replied in a loud voice, for he knew enough, of course. to speak high and to say ‘ma'am.’

‘What? I did not hear,’ said Queen Alexandra. ‘Four years, ma'am,’ Multy shouted.

But she repeated, ‘What?’

“Then Multy leaned forward, and, with a polite and amiable smile, he waved four fingers to and fro before Queen Alexandra’s face. He resigned the next morning.” – The Exchange, 1912

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