 George Criticos served as head porter of the Ritz for 45 years , retiring in 1960 for health reasons ; he had been recommended for a job at the Ritz by Sir Basil Zaharoff . In his 1959 book , George of the Ritz , Criticos remembered some of the notable people and events during his years of service . Criticos once acted as an agent to the Aga Kahn at the racetrack , having been given US $ 45 @,@ 000 by the monarch to place bets in his name . He was also asked to take the 18 @-@ year @-@ old Prince Aly Khan on a month long tour of the United States to help the young man forget a failed romance . When Criticos saw an unshaven man in coveralls entering the hotel , he called out to the man to stop him . When the man turned to face Criticos , he recognised him as King Boris of Bulgaria , who was a railroad buff and was returning from driving a special train . 
