Etiquette, Charity and Low-Neck Gowns

On one occasion the Queen was told that some ladies did not care to be presented at Court on account of the great expense incurred on this occasion. This was a revelation to the Queen, and a thought struck her. — 
Public domain image of the Queen of Sweden in 1889, Louise Alexandra Marie Irene Mountbatten (born Princess Louise of Battenberg

As she is a German Princess, the Queen of Sweden, of course, attaches great importance to etiquette. At the same time her deep desire to relieve poverty of every kind prompts her to favor what Carter calls "the simplification of life." 

Sometimes the conflict between these two interests leads to funny incidents. For example, on one occasion the Queen was told that some ladies did not care to be presented at Court on account of the great expense incurred on this occasion. This was a revelation to the Queen, and a thought struck her.

"Well," she exclaimed, "at my next drawing room everybody must come in calico dresses." "And must be cut low in the neck?" one of the courtiers asked. Of course. You don't suppose I intend my guests to come in everyday attire?" "But your Majesty forgets that these gowns, too, will be of no use afterward, for nobody wears low-necked, calico dresses." "Ah! don't they? I thought of course they did."-Boston Transcript, 1889

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

Royal Etiquette as Court Pest

Teresa, Contessa Guiccioli was the married lover of Lord Byron while he was living in Ravenna, Italy, and writing "Don Juan." Teresa had married Count Guiccioli, and then three days later, she met Lord Byron. A writer herself, she wrote the biographical account "Lord Byron's Life in Italy." Alexandre Dumas included her as a minor character in his novel "The Count of Monte Cristo," using the same disguised name "Countess G-" as Lord Byron did for the Countess in his personal journals.

Court Pests

The pests of the small courts are the importance attached to etiquette and the thin skinnedness and jealousy of the courtiers. Great pests of all courts, but chiefly of the greater, are the hosts of fussy people, humbugs of all kinds and projectors who want to secure royal patronage as a means of advertisement. They are much more likely to get it than the deserving because their instinct tells them how to make their approach. 

Queens are now pestered all over Europe with individuals who imagine money is to be made in getting up unions to secure artistic and literary employment for women. The poor weak things would go to the wall if they were not brought into droves. The larger the drove the greater the number of subscriptions and the better for the drover. 

The Empress Frederick is ready to help feminine unions, but for handicrafts requiring trained skill and talent, and not to get poor scribbling or painting shot into the market. The Queens of Sweden and Denmark are of the same mind. But the Queen of Sweden likes to patronize authoresses on the side of religion and good morals. The Empress of Russia feels her way. 

My maid of honor tells me that the Prince of Wales' daughters are credited in northern courts with shrewdness and insight into the motives of fussy philanthropists. The most pleasant court for maids of honor is that of St. Petersburg. The Countess Gamba Guiccioli was there on a visit and wondered whether there were limits to the liberties of the courtiers. 

One sex is as free as the other. The ladies smoke, skate, dance, take sentimental drives in the long daylike summer nights, flirt with grand dukes or with no matter whom, throw themselves into love, diplomatic, palace and even political intrigues. The latter may lead to Siberia. But the gambling spirit is strong in them. Danger gives zest to enterprise and forbidden fruit is sweetest. —Paris Correspondent for The London Truth, 1896

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