Friday 18 May 2012

Royal Luncheon


The Queen has held luncheon at Windsor Castle for other royalty on the occasion of Her Majesty's diamond jubilee.

Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh greeted their guests personally when they arrived, patiently waiting outside the Waterloo Chamber, where the pre-lunch reception was held.

First to arrive was Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein, soon followed by Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg.

The Grand Duke and Duchess were warmly greeted by the Queen and Duke with handshakes and double kisses - a display of affection that set the tone for many of the welcomes.

King Harald V of Norway kissed the Queens hand when he and his wife Queen Sonja met the monarch and she replied with a beaming smile.

Prince Albert II of Monaco was more formal with just a handshake while his wife Princess Charlene gave a low curtsey.

The most extravagant welcome came from Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, who flung open her arms as she approached the Queen before kissing her.

HM and HRH were accompanied at the lunch by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Henry of Wales and The Duke of York.

A British-inspired menu was prepared using many ingredients sourced locally, comprising,

  • Tartlet of poached egg with English asparagus
  • Windsor Lamb with braised potatoes, artichokes, peas, carrots, broad beans, cabbage, and a tomato and basil salad
  • Kent strawberries and vanilla Charlotte
  • Dessert 
  • Cheese 
The group photograph attendees were (front row, left to right):-
  • His Imperial Majesty The Emperor of Japan
  • Her Majesty The Queen of the Netherlands
  • Her Majesty The Queen of Denmark
  • His Majesty The King of the Hellenes
  • His Majesty The King of Romania
  • The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty
  • His Majesty The King of Bulgarians
  • His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei
  • His Majesty The King of Sweden
  • His Majesty The King of Swaziland
  • His Highness The Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein. 
The middle row (Left to right):-
  • His Serene Highness The Prince of Monaco
  • His Royal Highness The Grand Duke of Luxembourg
  • His Majesty The King of Lesotho
  • His Majesty The King of the Belgians
  • His Majesty The King of Norway
  • His Highness The Emir of Qatar
  • His Majesty The King of Jordan
  • His Majesty The King of Bahrain
  • His Majesty The Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia
 The top row (left to right):-
  • His Highness Nasser Mohamed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait
  • His Highness the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
  • His Royal Highness The Crown Prince of Yugoslavia
  • His Majesty The King of Tonga
  • His Royal Highness The Crown Prince of Thailand
  • Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco 
  • His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia 

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