Queen tours banquet display

Last Modified: 25 Jul 2008
Source: ITN

An exhibition that recreates the splendour of a Buckingham Palace banquet has been given the Royal seal of approval.

The Queen has toured the display in the palace's ballroom, which gives visitors the chance to experience what it is like to be a guest at an event normally reserved for visiting heads of state.

The dining table has been laid out with hundreds of pieces of rare cutlery, glasses and table decorations.

Pieces from the Grand Service - a silver gilt dinner service made for George IV - were laid out for 89 guests.

The table would normally be set for 170 people but it was reduced to a manageable size for the exhibition.

During the Queen's reign 77 state banquets have been held at Buckingham Palace, 18 at Windsor Castle and two at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland.

The summer opening of the state rooms at Buckingham Palace, including the state banquet display, runs from July 29 to September 29.

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