November 15, 2025

All ceremonial is ridiculous unless it is perfect.

Lord Cobold (1904–1987), Lord Chamberlain, attributed, Jay p.100

When it comes to ceremonial activities of which you are a part, do you take them seriously and play it straight? Or do you act the jackass in hopes of standing out in the crowd?

The British are the masters of this because the chief qualification of the Lord Chamberlain—responsible for all ceremonial activities involving the monarch—is perfectionism. Obviously, no politician could get that job as our expertise is in imperfect compromises.