"Buckingham Palace has disclosed a wealth of detail about the state banquet at Windsor Castle hosted by the king for Donald Trump from the 139 candles to the 1,452 pieces of cutlery, all lovingly polished by hand but all that anyone really wants to know about is the seating plan. In Windsor Castle's St George's Hall, the 50 metre-long table runs the length of the room, offering a tantalising indication of a pecking order among the 160 guests."
"The arrangements were said to be the work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the royal household, and protocol has its place, but there is no doubt that Downing Street and the White House had a strong steer, adding to the intrigue around who was next to whom. After a gruelling period of media attention, did Keir Starmer's under-fire chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, want to pull the ear of Rupert Murdoch, who was placed by his side?"
The state banquet at Windsor Castle featured meticulous details such as 139 candles and 1,452 pieces of cutlery polished by hand. A 50-metre table in St George's Hall accommodated 160 guests, exposing a clear pecking order. Seating was arranged by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the royal household, with strong input from Downing Street and the White House. Notable placements sparked speculation, including Morgan McSweeney sitting beside Rupert Murdoch and Princess Anne positioned near Rachel Reeves and the US ambassador Warren Stephens. Guests entered two by two to assigned places while an orchestra played, including "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Donald Trump sat mid-table with the king to his left and spoke often with the Princess of Wales.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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