Yesterday’s Independent had a feature entitled ’50 things you never thought you’d know about the Royal Family’. I don’t know whether it was intended to read like a comprehensive justification for instant revolution, or even whether any of it is true, seeing as it was sourced from the Daily Mirror, but I’ve been laughing in amused horror at some of the ‘facts’. Selections follow for your amusement…
Servants of the household are not allowed to walk down the centre of the carpet. That area is only for the royals.
For each tray of food or tea there is a set layout: cup and saucer with handle pointing to five o’clock; plates and saucers turned so the royal crests point to 12 o’clock; salt is always placed on the right, mustard on the left. The pepper goes behind the mustard.
(Of the duties of a royal valet…)There is a strict order on how to lay out the clothes… a folded shirt, as if straight from the box, is then placed at a vertical angle on the trousers…
Prince Charles’s pyjamas are always cotton, and have to be ironed each morning.
Prince Charles has a little key… always attached to his tube of toothpaste and is operated like a sardine tin key, allowing just the right amount of toothpaste out.
The Queen’s personal footman looks after her nine corgis – except feeding, which the Queen does herself. She feeds the animals with a silver spoon and fork each morning.