The Queen's Dinner Parties.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 94, 22 April 1893, Page 11

The Queen's Dinner Parties.

The Queon, in preparation for hor departure in March, to Florence, entertained batches of Ministers to dinner. Lord Rosobery was fcwioe at the Castle. On Wed" nesday nighb it was Mr Gladstone (with Mrs Gladstone), Mr Asquitli, and othois, who journoyed down to do tho usual ' dine and'sloop.' Tho Queon is most particular a9 to hor parties, novor lotting politico clash at, hor table. It may bo interesting to know whab takes placo at these littlo dinner parties. A Minister invited takos the dinner train from Paddington ab 6 p.m., Court suit in tin box, and arrivos at Windsor at> ooven. He is whisked oil'to tho Custlo in n Royal brougham, talton in hand by a resplendent valob and droesod for dinner, which takes plnoo at 8.30. So there is a long wait. If ho bo an important person liko Mr Gladstone lie soea the Quean on liis arrival boforo drossing. If nob, ho has a woavy hour's wnibwibh tho equerries, who always soein to bo in a hurry at Windsor. Tho Minister takoa his dinnor with tho other invited guosts and one or two of tho Princes, and tho Quoon comos into tho room towards tho middle of tho ontortainmenb and leaves boforo dessert, afterwards recoivine all and sundry in her drawingroom. 'Then to bod,' as Popye lias it), and up oavly in the morning to n broakfnsb served almost as HUinptuouttlyaa an ordinary man'p, dinnor, But) one. niusb bo careful to have dono in time to catch tlio ton o'clock train frqjn Windsor to London. Thus ends bho great honour. Of course it is diflorent with tho high oilicorn of tho Government, who often dino en famille with tho Queen, and sco her in tho morning early before they return to town.—1 Liverpool Post.1