Slight nitpick…I think you mean a barony, or life peerage. A baronetcy is a hereditary knighthood, and has no association with the House of Lords…
This is confusing. Is it the case that the staffer wanted the prestige of working for a Lord and therefore wanted the Lord addressed formally?
Seems odd that the staffer would publicly contradict his boss in something so personal as how his boss is addressed.
It made sense to me. Basically, the staffer has a job to do: to serve the House of Lords, its Members and committees. The Lords are their bosses. While things go fine, sure, everything’s fun and games and people can let their hair down, but once the shit hits the fan, it’s absolutely certain that bad-tempered Lords will pull rank or lash out. The staffer said it was an important reminder to both he and the Lords that their relationship is purely professional and reminds them of the place that they work in.
He said something like, we can pretend it’s the 21st Century in the building as much as we like, but the fact is, informality breeds contempt and produces mistakes. It reminded him of the command structure.
It wasn’t public, or aggressively stated, to my knowledge of how he recalled the story to me…
Ahh, that makes more sense. I thought the Lord had extended a hand and said “Call me Spanky” to you, and the staffer turned around to the Lord and said essentially “Lord Spankenton will do fine.”
They wouldn’t.
That is the butler’s job.
Nope. Butlers don’t introduce. I doubt if they even announce visitors any more.
I hope for your sake mine doesn’t read this thread, then. :mad:
Quite right, and I think that’s a mistake I’ve made before on here. He was made Baron Erskine when he didn’t get in on the initial hereditary ballot.
looks at username You’d think I’d know this stuff. ![]()
Cecil imparted his wisdom on a similar topic
Errrmm might I suggest m’lud you mean “The Nine Tailors”.
Which you’ll recall, was a quite important point in the story.
I shall be below stairs if you need me…
From the titled horse’s mouth: the young Queen Mum introduces herself at a stranger’s house. Her husband is presumed to be known: The King's Speech (10/12) Movie CLIP - I Don't Think You Know King George VI (2010) HD - YouTube
The best scene in the movie.
(And yes I’m not making a joke about Ann.