The following conversation occurred in England where William and Kate, (the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) were spending a weekend with the Earl of Grantham at his residence. The following is a conversation between The Earl (hereinafter shown as “EG”) and his Butler, Carson (hereinafter shown as “B”).

B. “May I ask you a question, My Lord?”

EG: “Go ahead, Carson,” said His Lordship

B: “I am doing the crossword in The Times and I have found the word aplomb, upon which I’m not too clear.”

EG: “Now that’s a difficult one to explain. I would say it is self assurance or complete composure…………perhaps I ​ can give you an example. Do you remember a few months ago when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ​ arrived to spend a weekend?”

B: “I remember the occasion very well, My Lord. It gave the staff and myself much pleasure to look after them.”

EG: “Carson, do you remember when Will plucked a rose for Kate in the rose garden?”

B: “Yes, My Lord. I was present ministering to their needs.”

EG: “Do I recall correctly that while plucking the rose, a thorn embed itself very deeply into Will’s thumb?”

B: “I witnessed the incident, My Lord, and saw the Duchess herself remove the thorn and bandage his thumb with
her own dainty handkerchief.”

EG: “I also remember seem to recall that evening the hole that the rose made in Will’s thumb was very sore. In fact, ​ I believe Kate needed to cut up his venison, even though it was extraordinarily tender!”

B: “Your memory certainly serves you well, My Lord.”

EG: “The next morning while you were pouring coffee for Her Ladyship, Kate said in a strong, clear voice, ‘Darling,does your prick still throb?’ And you, Carson, did not spill one drop of coffee. That my friend, is APLOMB!”