Friday, May 31, 2019

All These Splendors ... and We Weren't Invited! Major Pout Coming On!

I am referring to the soon to occur State Banquet hostessed by Elizabeth II for U.S. President Trump and both families ( QE will have Charles and Camilla, William and Kate, Prince Andrew and Trump is bringing Melanie and all of his children) at Buckingham Palace where  State Dinner prep is probably no more than just another day's to Staff who have weathered innumerable ones.  

Some details gleaned from the Brit newspapers:  The table is set so that each guest's plate(s) are exactly 18 in. from one another and from the veritable forest of glasses next it - six in all:  Water, Champagne for the traditional toast - leader to leader - Red, White wines to match the courses, a Dessert wine and Port (presumably for the gentlemen. "Now don't linger over the port, gentlemen," said with a wagging finger by the dinner hostess in many a British novel)  

Speaking of formality, the dress code for this event calls for "Tiaras and White Tails."   

To mention some details … Prince Charles eschews butter and will have a little dish of olive oil at his place for his bread which will be easy to locate as his "bad back" requires a special cushion.  

After the speeches (re what was not disclosed) 12 pipers will march around the room, tootling away.  This is truly when it pays to be the Queen or the sitting President of the United States as they will repair to another room for their post-prandial coffee.  And when the Queen leaves the room, the party is over and guests are ushered gently out.  

On the other hand, the Queen is said to be very fond of her bagpipers and Trump's mother was of Scottish descent.  If she lingers then I feel for those among us who loathe and detest bagpiper toots and  sour chords.  Maybe not being invited is not such a bad thing after all...

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