"SIMPLY NOT DONE!"

Shannon News, 30 May 1924, Page 4

"SIMPLY NOT DONE!"

THE VICE-REGAL CUKTSY

CONTRARY TO REGULATIONS.

A few generations ago, the man or woman who usurped a Royal prerogative ran a ‘ risk of hearing those dread words: “Off with his head!” Yet at Randwick, says the “Guardian," scores of Sydney’s . best-known women committed a flagrant breach of regal etiquette. Lady Knox erred. So did Lady Hughes. So 'did Lady Cullen. So did others ranking almost equall# high in Sydney’s social world. As the ladies in question approached the Vice-Regal enclosure, each dropped a Mid-Victorian curtsy. Fortunately (here is asphalt immediately in front of the Governor’s box,' “For (lie information of Sydney’s most exclusive set,” the “Guardian” announces the fact (hat the receiving of a curtsy is the sole prerogative of the Royal Family. For Royalty Only.

Sir Gerald Strickland, who was a stickler for constitutional etiquette, made the question a Colonial Office affair.

■He received a ruling that curtsying was not to be permitted except to Royalty. The imperial authorities pointed out, that King Edward VII. had decided that there must be no curtsying, oven to a Viceroy and his wife, much less to the Governor of a State. The staffs of the Dominion Governors were specially invited to cheek the disloyal practice.

King George ratified his father’s decision, and when the Prince of Wales visited Australia lie observed with con. sideiable annoyance that the wives of the various Governors whose pleasure it was to entertain his ltoyaj Highness were rather encouraging the practice. Ho drew pointed attention to the fact that it was not in accord with regulations. Please Don’t. The late Sir Walter .Davidson was so impressed with the Prince’s attitude towards curtsying to other thua Royal blood that he communicated personally with offenders and begged them to discontinue the practice. Sir Walter emphasised that it was wrong and that Dame Margaret was noti entitled to the obeisance. Since the arrival of Lady do Chair the custom has been revived by Sydney society. It was most pronounced at Randwick.