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The State Banquet

(68 Posts)
ferry23 Wed 09-Jul-25 16:05:57

I had a little chuckle when I saw photos from last night's State Banquet.

For many of us who would have been at the "birth" of the Rolling Stones way back when, who would believe all these years later the rebel, anti-establishment rocker would rock up in his aristocratic gear to the banquet?

I wish my darling Dad were still here, then he could see that Jagger almost hit the "normal" scale grin.

And before anyone tells me, yes I know there's a thread about the Macon's visit but thanks to some of the usual suspects, it's turned political and bitchy and this is just a light-hearted observation and I really hope it stays that way!

WithNobsOnIt Fri 11-Jul-25 23:12:20

Magenta8

Yesterday's rebel is today's national treasure.

My FIL used to go on about MJ being a long haired layabout and he once threw his slippers at the TV when MJ was on.

Yes l lived with that generation of fathers who hated long haired,layabout rock stars

As in "He should stop prancing about like a big girls blouse, and get a proper mans job.

Ho de ho ho. Glad we both lived to tell the tale.

Be Happy!!!

🌻👍😻

Usedtobeblonde Fri 11-Jul-25 18:26:04

I read that at the dinner the government gave the Macrons at some embassy, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester represented the King as they often do on similar occasions.
They are obviously very well thought of by the Royal Family, a very safe pair of hands.

Nanny27 Fri 11-Jul-25 18:01:26

Allira
'Is one permitted to use one's fork for the peas?'
Absolutely but I recommend scaping them into one's wine glass and slurping them.

Calendargirl Fri 11-Jul-25 06:55:44

The D of G is slim and elegant, but it was her beautiful matching jewellery that caught my eye.

I thought Catherine’s gown was not the best I’ve seen her, the red looked a bit harsh somehow.

petra Thu 10-Jul-25 21:18:02

mokryna

Has anyone found a photo of the Duchess of Gloucester?

Here you go.

Allira Thu 10-Jul-25 21:07:55

Nanny27

suzieque66 the table is enormous so I don't think yelling across at the guest opposite would be quite the done thing. Speak to your left first course and right for the second. Seeing as I am so well versed in Royal table maners I can't think why I've not been invited.

😁

Is one permitted to use one's fork for the peas?

Oreo Thu 10-Jul-25 20:55:54

I shall certainly consult you Nanny27 when I’m invited to share beans on toast with Camilla one evening.😃

Nanny27 Thu 10-Jul-25 20:17:25

suzieque66 the table is enormous so I don't think yelling across at the guest opposite would be quite the done thing. Speak to your left first course and right for the second. Seeing as I am so well versed in Royal table maners I can't think why I've not been invited.

Suzieque66 Thu 10-Jul-25 19:46:21

You can tell that the Florist has been changed .. Queen Elizabeth always had a central LOW flower arrangement and now its a bushy untidy shrub where you can see over and cant talk to anyone ... I know King Charles likes to stir things up but really ?

MayBee70 Thu 10-Jul-25 18:58:44

There’s a very good two parter on The Rest is History podcast showing how establishment the anti establishment Rolling Stones actually were.

mokryna Thu 10-Jul-25 18:44:41

Has anyone found a photo of the Duchess of Gloucester?

Oreo Thu 10-Jul-25 18:43:33

Iam64

Mme Macron dresses well. Catherine always looks good but her red outfit isn’t one I’d like to see her in again. The Queen has good stylists. I often think she’d rather be in wellies digging her garden or walking a dog or three

I agree, not sure why but red just isn’t her colour.

Knittypamela Thu 10-Jul-25 18:43:18

I was listening to an old rocker talking on Irish radio today. He said in passing "I was having afternoon tea in the Shelbourne Hotel". It made me smile.

Iam64 Thu 10-Jul-25 18:29:20

Mme Macron dresses well. Catherine always looks good but her red outfit isn’t one I’d like to see her in again. The Queen has good stylists. I often think she’d rather be in wellies digging her garden or walking a dog or three

Warmglovesandsocks Thu 10-Jul-25 17:57:11

I just want to say what a really lovely link, and thank you for the photos.

Calendargirl Thu 10-Jul-25 17:47:55

I well remember the Duchess of Gloucester having her first baby, as my first baby was born around the same time.

Her baby needed special care, can’t remember why, and the News report said it didn’t matter whether you were royalty or not, the anxiety for the parents would be the same.

The baby, a boy, recovered well, and is the Earl Of Ulster, married with his own family, I think.

Aldom Thu 10-Jul-25 14:53:26

The Duchess of Gloucester did indeed look elegant at the State Banquet.
This has reminded me of the day, probably about 1974, when I was standing outside the Town Hall in Chester, waiting to cross the road.
Suddenly a young couple were standing next to me. It was the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. The Duchess's leg was bandaged. She had recently had her first baby.

Babamaman Thu 10-Jul-25 14:44:53

I thought it very well stage managed
Princess Catherine wore Red
The Queen wore white and
Mrs Macron wore blue (in a similar style to Catherine’s) a cape dress

Babamaman Thu 10-Jul-25 14:41:35

Mick Jagger lives in France so I suppose it’s a representation of the entente cordial at its best. And Macron does like to look as though he is ‘trendy’

Crossstitchfan Thu 10-Jul-25 14:12:06

Magenta8

Yesterday's rebel is today's national treasure.

My FIL used to go on about MJ being a long haired layabout and he once threw his slippers at the TV when MJ was on.

My father thought that any male with long hair was ‘common’ and he also thought the same about men with beards! If I had taken anyone home who wasn’t Caucasian, he would probably have had a heart attack! How he would have reacted to my homosexual grandson, I dread to think! Strange, because in all other things, he was kind, generous and tolerant, but not those. I did have a fancy for a man I later found out was married (dumped him immediately, as soon as I found out), but I have a good idea how he would have reacted to that had I continued with the relationship. In that case, quite right too!

Good job ideas have changed a bit since then!

Magenta8 Thu 10-Jul-25 13:59:41

escaped

Wow! I bet there wasn't a fork out of place.
Though Macron and wife might have wanted to hang onto the same cutlery for every course. I've never really understood that.

Having lived without a dishwasher for several weeks, I can understand only too well why French people hang onto the same cutlery.grin

LovesBach Thu 10-Jul-25 13:51:37

Did anyone else feel that Catherine's face has changed? It is subtle, but she looked a little thinner in the face, and slightly gaunt. I have seen photos of her looking better than in the most recent - perhaps it was just not a good day.

Deedaa Wed 09-Jul-25 22:02:49

The talk about Mick Jagger reminds me that I was driving past the racecourse during Royal Ascot and my son was muttering away all the dressed up "toffs". I showed him several photos of Charlie Watts in previous years, looking superb in his morning dress and top hat. He continued to mutter, but not as loudly!

Allira Wed 09-Jul-25 21:49:05

ronib

The Duchess of Gloucester was supremely elegant and I did wonder what her exercise programme was to keep her look so supple. I thought some of the gowns were too voluminous for this time of year.

Yes, she is.

I can't believe she's 79!

Calendargirl Wed 09-Jul-25 21:41:03

ronib

The Duchess of Gloucester was supremely elegant and I did wonder what her exercise programme was to keep her look so supple. I thought some of the gowns were too voluminous for this time of year.

I agree. The Duchess Of Gloucester was one of the best dressed ladies there.

Elegant and stylish.

Personally not keen on either Catherine’s or Brigitte’s.

(Am sure they value my opinion, and approve of my using their first names).

smile