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When Elizabeth II. was crowned Queen of England in 1952, her empire’s colonies were dispersed across an area of over 13 million square kilometres around the world. During her rule, with the exception of a couple of islands, Great Britain lost practically all of them. Despite this, I see her photo adorning many walls up to this day, whether in Kenya, Zimbabwe, India, Borneo or Fiji. Not only in luxury hotels, but also in ordinary homes.
She was not the most beautiful in the land, but the way in which she held herself upright gave her a natural grace. Her behaviour was self-aware, without being conceited. This was appreciated by the greats, from Churchill to Kennedy, Mandela to the Pope. Her wardrobe was never dictated by any trend, but it was always stylish and harmonious, usually tailored. She combined tradition with a modern understanding of the world, in which she was able to behave in the appropriate manner; politeness is the decoration of (not only) queens. The Queen tirelessly represented the British monarchy until her final breath with a high degree of courtesy and respect. The cult of an elegant and dignified monarch was granted to her even while she was alive, and it is likely that it will remain a model not only for royal successors, but also for those who contemplate elegance today.
Elegance was first recorded in the dictionary at the French court in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, in connection with the adjective ‘tasteful,’ which was above all applied to fashion and looks. Gallantry and elegance were closely related to the establishment of the first social salons in Paris, where political power and cultural energy converged like nowhere else. Elegance had a far more powerful effect in the long term than brute force, especially when the Bourbon kings began to stabilise the land after a series of destructive religious wars.
At that time, Paris was becoming a city of salons, which were founded by and always run by women. They were a meeting place for elegant people who developed the art of deliberation, the ability to think beyond oneself. The attendees of these salons would even discuss trivial matters to demonstrate their perceptiveness and awareness. The refined manners of women did not go unnoticed, and courteous conduct became an art which the whole of ‘high’ society desired to excel in.
‘Only in the company of ladies can we acquire earthly manners and courtesy, which no advice nor class can teach us. Conversing with ladies refines a young man, making him more gallant and sensitive,’ writes the encyclopaedic dictionary Dictionnaire de Trévoux in 1704. In period literature, we read that ‘the new culture essentially comes from women. They are the indisputable masters of gentle manners. Even when men find a way to refined manners themselves, they achieve all the final touches in the presence of women.’ In the upper circles of the bourgeoisie, a new ideal emerges: the gallant man.
The era of chivalry is also reflected in the political and social differences of the two most prominent and influential ruling dynasties in Europe. While the Prussian kings (Hohenzollern), who had shaped European history, particularly in the German-speaking world, for centuries, wagered less on diplomacy and focused on military and political expansion instead, the Habsburgs created an empire that stretched from Spain to Central and Eastern Europe, thanks to their social diplomacy and tactical marriages. A tour guide in Berlin at the exhibition The Prussian Royal Dynasty recently explained to us that the differences between the two dynasties were so great that no marriage ever took place between the ruling Prussian and Habsburg families, even though they often had close ties.
Nowadays, the term elegance encompasses a broader concept, which is no longer restricted to the upper echelons of society. People long to be liked and to be elegant, as exemplified by filters on social media and the boom in fashion and design. On a deeper level, we are guided towards elegance by the awareness that we are not alone, but part of a collective. Not being the centre of the universe, being considerate, expressing oneself politely (even without the presence of women), nonverbal communication, finding inner peace – these are all attributes which are often linked to elegance. How many people can (still) master this?
Elegance is both a skill and an art that isn’t easy to acquire. Precisely because elegance per se should appear natural. No one is born with elegance, rather, a long path leads to it. Many try to present themselves as being ‘cool’ both loudly and ostentatiously, but doing so simply, harmoniously, naturally, effortlessly and with ease; that is the true face of elegance. And few achieve it.
When we think of elegance, we may think of three of her pillars: charm, luxury, freedom. Charm is the elegance in a movement, in a smile or in a look, irrespective of beauty. Luxury can support elegance, or conversely (as so often), kill it with poor taste. And freedom? That requires a paragraph of its own…
Elegance means inner strength which allows us to maintain calm even in challenging situations. This strength may have a freeing effect upon us and our surroundings. It follows the path of healthy self-awareness, creativity and true individuality.
An elegant solution! It’s a well-known metaphor, right? One which is not forceful and deceptively simple. The fact that we deliberated or worked on it for hours, days or even weeks isn’t important; to elegantly manage something which is really not easy may require a difficult path.
Being cool and stylish is the ideal of today’s age. It has become a marker for the masses, who often imitate their idols. It is the curse of mediocrity which prevents people from reaching their potential, morally, aesthetically and intellectually. This is why we continue to publish this bookmag and organise salons where we cultivate elegant conversations. I believe that a culture of open dialogue and genuine solidarity helps humanity more than anonymity, the internet and exalted AI.
“Everything we do is important,” said Queen Elizabeth II. Her message focused on the importance of actions and their consequences on society. Every minute of our being, every gesture and every smile count.
This article appeared in the seventh issue of the print magazine N&N – Noble Notes
