Kings/Sovereign

A Day in the Life: Royalty

I get asked what a King or Queen went through on a daily basis. The answer is often a hard one as there are many different time periods to consider. I have narrowed down as best I can using the Medieval/Renaissance, the 18th Century and the 19th/20th century.

Kings/Sovereign

The King or Sovereign (its usually the same set up for a Queen Regnant, literally swap pronouns) would have a packed day ahead of them both personally and politically.

●A Mediaeval/Renaissance King would be roused from bed early by his gentleman and dressed for the day ahead. He would do some praying (though Henry VIII spent his praying time doing papers in his private box in the Chapel) and then have breakfast. Then he would either go hunting (a favourite pastime) or he would do some state business, meeting councillors, signing papers and meeting ambassadors and petitioners. Then when that was done, they would go visit their wives or mistresses (depending on the kind of man your King is). In the evenings he would dine and attend the court festivities.

●The 18th century King would be awoken as part of a performance. He would be roused by his courtiers and then dressed by them. When he was dressed and ready to go, the King would have breakfast, pray and then go about his hunting or his ruling (really Kings could be idle things). His day would be strictly regimented. It was said that any courier at Versailles knew exactly where their king was by the time. He would then go to supper, again before a large crowd or courtiers. In the evening he would attend the salons gambling or dancing or he would party with his mistresses in his private chambers.

●A 19th/20th century King would be awoken by a servant and then dressed. He would have breakfast usually with his family. He would then go about his state business  meeting councillors, signing papers and meeting ambassadors and petitioners. He would call into see his wife and kids before persuing his hobbies such as drawing or music. Nicholas II was fond of walking and outdoor pursuits. In the evening, he would attend supper with his family or before the court. If he chose to throw a court gathering, he would attend with his Queen.

Queen

The Queen is the wife of a sovereign (though this can be substituted for a guy) and had a less busy day than the sovereign.

●The Medieval/Renaissance Queen would rise late in the morning after their ladies who would awaken her early. Queens would dress and attend a religious ceremony (if there is one) as it was good to be pious. They would then have breakfast. The Medieval/Renaissance Queen would then visit their children if they live with them. They give charity to the poor and do charity work such as sewing shirts. Queens would likely hold court in their rooms, listening to court problems such as steward's accounts and greeting ambassadors. The would rest in the evenings listening to music, poetry or practise their dancung and go hunting. Queens will most likely change gowns before dinner and then sit at their husband's side. They would attend balls and entertainments. They then go to bed with their ladies to prepare for their next day.

●The 18th Century Queen would be awoken later by her ladies. She would suffer through a public dressing ceremony with her ladies and courtiers in attendance. She would go to religious ceremonies and then have breakfast before the court. She would spend her evenings with her ladies playing cards, gossiping and generally chilling. Most queens got very obese in this period as gowns were incredibly large and it wasn't seemly to exercise. They were couch potatoes for the most part. In the evenings, Queen's would publicly eat supper with their husband and then attend the court's goings on playing cards and dancing.

●The 19th century/20th century Queen would awaken early enough, not so late as their previous counterparts. They would dress and have breakfast, sometimes alone or with ladies or their children (children were raised with their mothers at this period). They would spend their evenings drawing, writing letters, sewing, card games and riding. They would usually spend time with their female relatives in the afternoon, going to visit them if they lived nearby. At the nights, they would attend balls and gatherings or if they wanted a quiet night which was far more frequent they would spend evenings with friends and family enjoying music or playing salon games.

Princess

Princesses live a charmed and privileged life in grand palaces that we can only dream of. However most princesses face a life of a regimental daily routine.

●A mediaeval/renaissance princess would likely rise very early to attend a prayer service. She would have her ladies dress her and she may even take a walk before breakfast. A mediaeval/renaissance princess would have lessons very early in the morning covering a wide range of subjects from religion to dancing.The mediaeval/renaissance princess would spend the afternoon with more enjoyable pursuits. She would do charity works, embroider, read and walk with her ladies. She would spend her evenings attending court festivities such as dancing and feasting. Princesses younger than fourteen would likeky not join in this for they were too young but older Princesses would be encouraged to join in at court gatherings as it was a chance for them to meet suitors and ambassadors.

●An 18th Century Princess would have risen later and had less regimental routine than the Medieval Princess but a more public one. The etiquette of Versailles had this ridiculous routine of the court crowding about the Dauphine (wife of the heir) and watching her ladies prepare her for the day. They would watch her get dressed (only ladies may view this), eat her breakfast and get her makeup and hair done. The 18th Century Princess would spend their afternoons doing something entertaining. They would play cards, gossip, sew, walk in the gardens and visit other female relatives. Their evenings would be filled with much of the same gossiping, dancing and gambling though they would watch the King eat his supper, standing around him as he ate. A princess at Versailles would be subjected to an evening with a public dinner before thousands, games of cards, gossip and dancing that could last well past midnight.

●More modern princesses (19th century) would have woken earlier than the previous century but not as early as the Renaissance princesses. They would bathe, dress and go to prayers before sitting down for a morning of lessons or to have breakfast. The 19th century princess would likely spend the afternoon having tea, playing lawn games, riding, going for carriage rides and other artistic pursuits. Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Louise was an avid sculptor and loved her work even if nobody else approved. Their nights usually were reserved on an every day basis, spent in drawing rooms with family. Older princesses would be allowed to attend court gatherings, entertainments and balls where young princesses, under fourteen or so, would likely be sent to bed early. A quiet night would entail of piano playing and reading. If there was a ball, she would attend and dance with the society.

Prince

We sort of expect Princes to have a more privileged than their sisters but they often had a far more a regimental daily routine.

●A Mediaeval/Renaissance Prince would rise early and be dressed by his servants. He would go pray, eat breakfast and then attend lessons with tutors and masters at arms. In the afternoons he would hunt and hawk, usually spending time outside with his companions. In the evening, he would attend supper with his household or his parents if he was at court. If he is older than twelve, he would stay up to attend the dancing and festivities.

●An 18th century Prince would get out of bed and be dressed before a selection of courtiers. He would be given breakfast and then attend lessons. The afternoon allowed him to go riding or hunting or if he wished it, he could chill indoors with the court or his companions. He would attend supper with his parents if he lives at court or with his household and siblings if not. He would then play cards, drink, dally with the court ladies and dance.

●The 19th/20th century Prince would be awoken and then given breakfast. He would attend his lessons and then when that was finished the afternoon was his to do with. He would dine with his parents and attend family gatherings. If court gatherings and balls occurred, he would be there.