The State Banquet

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.

Have you got any photos?

I’d like to see what Her Maj. wore as well as Madame Macron.

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.

He certainly wasn’t that. He came from a very affluent middle class family. The mother of my boyfriend all those years ago cleaned for the family

Princess Catherine wore a gorgous red ball gown, with a cape effect.

From last night Whitewave.

“ The table arrangement, set out in one long sitting, sees the Royal family split up on to either side: President Macron placed between the King and the Princess of Wales, with Mrs Macron between the Queen and Prince of Wales on the other side of the table.

“Of course we would not be neighbours if we did not have our differences,” said the King in his toast. “This is a relationship built not only on cooperation and mutual fascination, but also on amicable competition and occasionally even, dare I say, confusion.

“The indomitable Gaul, Asterix himself, and no doubt many of his compatriots since, struggled to comprehend our beloved ‘tasse de the avec un nuage de lait’ taken at precisely five o’clock in the afternoon...just as we find it impossible to bake a baguette quite as well as your artisans make in France.”

“My firm belief is that friendship between Britain and France is vital if the liberties and peace of Europe are to be preserved,” he added.

“Therefore, as we dine here in this ancient place, redolent with our shared history, allow me to propose a toast to France and to our new entente. An entente not only past and present, but for the future – and no longer just cordiale, but now amicale.”

I saw a bit of the speech by the king and then Macron. It all seemed very friendly and pleasant.

petra

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.

He certainly wasn’t that. He came from a very affluent middle class family. The mother of my boyfriend all those years ago cleaned for the family

It wasn't a class thing with FIL anybody with long hair was a layabout even the Oxford and Cambridge boat race crews. Mick Jagger went to the same school as my DH, Dartford Grammar and FIL knew his father.

Thanks for the photos.

What I learned when I visited Buckingham Palace one year to a display of th3 late Queen’s dresses was that we can’t really appreciate the exquisite material and workmanship until close up.

I just loved looking at the material and embroidery etc absolutely divine.

Well done folks. I thinking about defecting from the other thread to this one! The nastiness has kicked in there, and I fear any light heartedness might soon be a crime.

I've even tried baking baguettes here in France with French flour, but Charles is right, it's impossible. It must be to do with the temperature of their ovens. I've given up.

I thought the cocktail of gin, lemon curd, pastis and flowers sounded ghastly!

Well we own a 19 year old Peugeot 107, I passed my French ‘O’ level and am bitterly disappointed I was not invited. 🤷‍♀️

Agree about the quality of the cloth WW just look at the thickness and style of Camilla’s dress. Superb!

Me too, ferryann23. My Dad was annoyed enough with my liking the Beatles and hair just skimming their collar then he went up a couple of notches, then the Rolling Stones arrived with the scrummy Brian Jones, with hair touching their shoulders (Good spell in the Army etc etc) but once Jimi Hendrix got my attention he gave up.

Beautiful. Thanks for the photos.

You can't leave out a photo of Brigitte FriedGreenTomatoes or the Tricolore effect won't work!

Sarnia

Me too, ferryann23. My Dad was annoyed enough with my liking the Beatles and hair just skimming their collar then he went up a couple of notches, then the Rolling Stones arrived with the scrummy Brian Jones, with hair touching their shoulders (Good spell in the Army etc etc) but once Jimi Hendrix got my attention he gave up.

Lol - yes in my house too they would have all been in the army.

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.

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.

I read that it took something like the best part of a week to lay and dress the table.

It would be my luck that if I did all that, M. Macron would WhatsApp me at 5pm to say he's got a headache and is taking a rain check.

Whitewavemark2

Thanks for the photos.

What I learned when I visited Buckingham Palace one year to a display of th3 late Queen’s dresses was that we can’t really appreciate the exquisite material and workmanship until close up.

I just loved looking at the material and embroidery etc absolutely divine.

I agree Whitewave. We went to the Palace to see the Princess of Wales wedding dress.

The menu looked good, Raymond Blanc did the starter and was also at the banquet.
I’d have gone for the food and wine even if I had to eat it in the kitchen 😂

I can’t post a photo of Madame Macron. In a stunning blue number, very similar design to Catherine’s.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Agree about the quality of the cloth WW just look at the thickness and style of Camilla’s dress. Superb!

I was assuming she wouldn't be drinking red, but of course, she may not spill it like I do!

“Therefore, as we dine here in this ancient place, redolent with our shared history, allow me to propose a toast to France and to our new entente."

I love this bit!
Windsor was, of course, built by William of Normandy.

I’m looking escaped for one of Mme. Macron …