om the Sovereign are
commands, and must be answered and obeyed as such, and the word
"command" must be made use of in answering such invitations. If any
reason exists for not obeying His Majesty's commands it should be
stated.

Invitations from members of the Royal Family are treated by courtesy as
commands, but in replying to such invitations the word "command" should
not be used. The answers to such invitations should be addressed to the
Comptroller of the Household, by whom they are usually issued.

Answers to royal invitations should be written in the third person, and
reasons given for non-acceptance.

A previous engagement cannot be pleaded as an excuse for refusing a
royal invitation; only personal indisposition or serious illness, or
death of near relatives, would be adequate reasons for not accepting a
royal invitation.

When a royal invitation is verbally given, the answer should be verbal
also.

At all entertainments at which royal guests are present they should be
received by the host and hostess in the entrance-hall. In the case of
serene highnesses they should be received by the host and conducted by
him to the hostess; this rule equally applies to the reception of
eastern princes.

The etiquette to be observed on the departure of royal personages is
identical with that observed on their arrival.

With regard to inviting members of the Royal Family to assist at the
opening of any public undertaking, the request should be made through
the Comptroller of the Household of the prince who is to be invited, or
through his secretary, and the same rule equally applies to both prince
and princess.

* * * * *

=Indian Princes.=--The exact status of Indian princes has never been
actually laid down, but all who are "Highnesses" are given precedence at
the English Court and in society after the Royal Family and foreign
princes. In the procession at Court entertainments they go in front of
ambassadors.

No Indian prince is considered to be of blood royal, and they do not
stand in the line at levees and Courts, but all have the private
_Entree_.

CHAPTER VIII

POINTS OF ETIQUETTE WHEN TRAVELLING ABROAD, AND PRESENTATIONS AT FOREIGN
COURTS

The acquaintanceship of foreign residents is of considerable service to
English people purposing to winter abroad, or to remain for any length
of time in a continental city, as by its means they obtain an entrance
into foreign