Secrets Of State Banquets At Buckingham Palace

Have you ever wondered what it would take to host a dinner for 170 people?

Buckingham Palace again opens its doors to the public this weekend - but this time it reveals the secrets of staging an elaborate state banquet.

As part of this year's summer exhibition, visitors will get a glimpse of just what it takes to transform the palace's ballroom into a dining room fit for presidents and prime ministers.

A timelapse video condenses down the ten days of work involved in decorating the enormous table ready for 170 guests, including 1,700 pieces of cutlery all laid out using rulers to get the precise spacing measurements correct.

Anna Reynolds, a Royal Collection Trust curator, said attention to detail was crucial for a state banquet, with preparations beginning around six months ahead.

"It's that element of uniformity that makes the spectacle so special, it's having everything exactly, precisely aligned," she said.

Visitors can see part of the table laid out as it was for the state banquet held for Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam last October.

Every year 62,000 guests are hosted by the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace through state banquets, garden parties, private audiences, receptions and people receiving honours.

The exhibition, called A Royal Welcome, is designed to give visitors an insight into the work that goes on behind the scenes.

As well as the state rooms, ticket holders will see recreations of the kitchen, wine cellar and the office where all the invitations are produced and table plans drawn up.

For the first time the public will arrive at the palace's summer exhibition through the grand entrance used by the Queen and her guests during events.

Dresses and jewellery worn by the Queen at garden parties and during state visits are also on display as part of a mock-up of the room where her majesty's clothes and hats are designed.

Last month it was revealed in the Royal accounts that at least £150m is needed to repair parts of the palace , including removing asbestos, re-wiring and new plumbing.

The summer opening of the palace's state rooms runs from 25 July until 27 September.