Arcane rules dictated that world leaders be seated in alphabetical order according to the name of their country in French – the traditional language of diplomacy when the protocols were made.

The name for the United States in French is Les États-Unis d’Amérique. Meaning the US president would sit right at the front.

[–] Skua@kbin.earth 0 points 1 year ago (2 children)

They didn't, alphabetical order in French is the protocol in question. The USA's name in French is États-Unis, putting it much earlier in the alphabet than it would be in English. Since France and Finland (both still start with F in French) were in the front row, we know that États-Unis would be too

[–] Valmond@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago

Albanians 😎

[–] chellewalker@lemmy.ca 0 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Why does it go by French names rather than Latin or even Italian?

[–] Hawke@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago

Because it’s the lingua franca of the world.

[–] napoleonsdumbcousin@feddit.org 0 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Because french was historically the language of diplomacy back when the rules were made. This is also mentioned in the article.

[–] GroteStreet@aussie.zone 0 points 1 year ago

Pah! Who has time to read articles? Where's my AI summary? /s

[–] ByteJunk@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago

And you're the dumb cousin? Damn guess that explains the empire...