Thursdays!

Event Type: Queen’s Levée

Description: Her Majesty the Queen, will receive the
                   entire court, to attend upon her while she dresses.

Location: State Bedroom, St. James’s Palace ( http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Winterfell%20Valley/68/103/1501)

Time: Noon / 12 pm SLT

Dress: Formal / Court

Etiquette: See Notecard in-world for history and etiquette. For more information, please contact Delos Helstein

History

Following the same guide line as the King's, the Queen's levée was a court ceremony, that was modeled on Louis XIV at Versailles. However, unlike the King's, the Queen's levée stayed intact since its conception a century before. Normally, it started the day of the Monarch, who rose in the State Bedchamber, and would be observed by physicians, court favorites, and the Kingdom's important aristocrats and ministers. The Queen's levée was opened to all members of the court. Traditionally, when the Queen still resided in palaces full time, the household would be there to prepare the Queen, while the qualified members in order of precedence would dress her.

By the reign of King George III, the royal couple no longer lived at court, preferring their own private residences. Queen Charlotte would rise and dress simply at her home, usually at Kew Palace. This is where her hair was dressed and makeup applied, before the Queen traveled to St. James's Palace. Once at the palace, the Queen was attended by her household. During this time, the Queen was formally dressed, and adorned appropriately. In which she received the respect and homage of the court.

After the Queen was dressed, she would then entertain in private, a smaller drawing room. Where she would receive presentations from new courtiers, hear the latest news, and plan the social functions required. It was during this time, she also received musicians, artisans, and merchants in which added to the culture of the court.



Rules of Etiquette for the Queen's Levée:

Step 1) The courtier, after being announced, bows/curtsies as soon as they enters the room.
Step 2) They takes a few steps and bows/curtsies again.
Step 3) Upon getting close enough to the Queen's dressing table, he bows for the third time.
Step 4) They waits for the Queen to address them. (If they are new to court, they must follow behind a presented person already at court, who will then introduce the newcomer to the Queen).
Step 5) Pleasantries and conversations are exchanged.
Step 6) The Queen hears the homages while being dressed.
Step 7) General conversation occurs.
Step 8) Once the dressing is done, the Queen departs to her drawing room, where the courtiers follow. Further conversation and discussions occur, under the hospitality of the Queen.
Optional Step) One cannot leave the room without the royal permission. To leave, one should say "Forgive me Your Majesty, may I beg leave to withdraw?", before bowing, heading backwards to the door and bowing again.



Conducting Conversation:

Verbal Address:
    'Your Majesty' for the first time and subsequently 'Sire/Ma'am'. This should always rhyme with 'Pam'. Pronunciation to rhyme with 'palm' has not been correct for some generations.

Conversation:
    In conversation with The King/Queen, 'Your Majesty' should be substituted for 'you'. References to other members of the Royal Family are made to 'His (or Her) Highness' or the appropriate title, such as the Duke of York.

    When introducing another person to The King/Queen it is only necessary to state the name or title of the person to be introduced: 'May I present John Smith, Your Majesty'