'I would like to have a suit made for the use of this yacht, and I wish you a safe journey across the channel.'
Seeing that the interview was about closed I said:
'Now, Your Majesty, I hope you will excuse any error I have made, for you see that you could not naturally expect me to be posted in court etiquette.'
The Queen laughed heartily in which she was joined by the surrounding crowd and said:
'You did very well, Captain.'
When she left I again joined Captain Welch, of the Yacht, who told me that Her Majesty was well pleased. 'You may be sure of a handsome present.'
I then asked him what was the cause of all the laughter. He said:
'Why that was the only mistake you made. You should have addressed
Princess Beatrice as Your Royal Highness; but that is all right.'
Soon after, Paul received an elegant chronometer gold watch with motto and heavy chain by General Ponsonby from the Queen and with the request that he would send her his photograph.