Why Was King Louis Philippe Of France Thrown Out of an American Hotel?

Shortly before he became king of France in 1830, Louis Philippe, Duke of Orleans, spent some time traveling in the United States.

He and his two younger brothers stopped one night at an inn in Winchester, Virginia. The innkeeper, Mr. Bush, was delighted to have such an important guests, and he gave them the best room he had.

Later that evening, the king-to-be asked that the evening meal for himself and his brothers be served to them in their room. It was clear to Mr. Bush that the royal Frenchmen thought they were too good to eat with his other guests in the dining room.

Enraged, he forced the three Frenchmen to leave his inn immediately. If they were too good to eat with ordinary Americans, they were too good to stay in his hotel.