A Danish Queen’s Etiquette – She Made the Little Prince Apologize

March 17, 2016

Louise of Hesse-Kassel (Louise Wilhelmine Frederikke Caroline Auguste Julie), Queen of Denmark 1863-1898.

Louise of Hesse-Kassel (Louise Wilhelmine Frederikke Caroline Auguste Julie), Queen of Denmark 1863-1898.

The Queen of Denmark, Louise of Hesse-Kassel, wife of King Christian IX 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.

Painting of 9 year old Crown Prince Frederik VIII, by Elisabeth Jerichau-Baumann 1852.

Painting of 9 year old Crown Prince Frederik VIII, by Elisabeth Jerichau-Baumann 1852.

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.
King Christian IX of Denmark, Queen Louise of Hesse-Kassel and the Royal Family.

King Christian IX of Denmark, Queen Louise of Hesse-Kassel and the Royal Family.

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
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Short Stories on Honor, Chivalry, and the World of Nobility—no. 516
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