A BRILLIANT SCENE AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12272, 16 May 1903, Page 1 (Supplement)

A BRILLIANT SCENE AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE.

Goodly crowds assembled to watch the arrival of those bidden to the Court at Buckingham Palace on April 29, although as a matter of fact very little could be seen of the occupants of the carriages which drove in in. needless succession from nine p.m. until about half-past ten p.m.

Inside the palace the company streamed en masse up the grand staircase. The Corps Diplomatique, Government, etc., have not only a separate entrance to the palace, avoiding the falling into line and consequent tedious waiting, but they also have their own private staircase, up which none butthose privileged personages are permitted to go. In addition, there is still another staircase, sacred to the Royal family, this being used by any of them who may not be staying in the building. Any ascent of these stairs in made in much stately solemnity, the exalted personages being preceded by lords and grooms in waiting, carrying their wands of office and walking backwards.

Their Majesties' private apartments are on the same floor and in the near neighbourhood of the Throne Room, where the Court was held ; but the whole of the Royal family always assemble in a special saloon, whence they issue in prescribed order, marshalled by a brilliant throng of lords-in-waiting, equerries, Royal pages, and the Lord Chamberlain. The Gentlemen-at-Arms have previously taken up their usual position at the scene of the function, and His Majesty's private band have made ready for the entrance of the Court, which, of course, is greeted with the National Anthem. Very imposing, highly stately, and surpassingly beautiful is this same entrance ! Slow and dignified in movement, the King and Queen enter side by side, and proceed to the chairs of State which are placed in advance of the brilliant group of Princes and Princesses, who tils in in the same dignified manna to their appointed places. Then, come the various members of the Household, who are in actual attendance, anl presently the eye rests upon the component parts of a picture revolved into a whole, which has no equal in the realm.

Not yet do the King and Queen take their seats, for are not the trusted representatives of " our well-beloved cousins," or, in other words, the friendly European and Oriental monarchs, to first pay their respects to the Majesty? A very brilliant gathering of personages this is, and the progress past the presence is somewhat lengthy, inasmuch as His Majesty shakes hands with each Ambassador, accompanying this with a few gracious words of greeting. Those who have the entree are the next to appear, and, needless to say, Mr. Chamberlain is greeted with especial warmth, and is a centre of attraction amongst his colleagues, and the privileged circle generally. Quite a considerable number of dignitaries are present, to say nothing of the long line of presentees who presently begin to make their appearance. These" come in for a goodly share of attention and criticism from those who by now have made the large saloon their temporary halting-place. Some are palpably nervous, one lady dropping her card at the feet of the State official who sought to take it—which card promptly slid across the polished parquet, making a perceptible delay in the proceedings during its recovery. Another debutante almost slipped on the glassy surface, but this fortunately was after passing their Majesties, so it was very little noticed. But one cannot help but think that a strip of carpet would be conducive to the comfort of the nervous young people—already worked up to the highest possible tension. It may be mentioned that Queen Alexandra again wears her favourite colour, her magnificent robe being fundamentally composed of delicate mauve satin, with Oriental embroidery on English net as an over-trim-miu. The diamond crown is now replaced by one composed of diamonds and pearls, and the four Orders worn are English, Indian, Danish, and Russian respectively. The Princess of Wales is in the pale blue which is so becoming to her fair hair and complexion, and her ornaments are also of diamond-; and pearls. One thing which must inevitably strike an old attendant at Drawing-rooms is the fact that only two curtseys—to the King and Queen respectively—have now to be made, instead of the seven or eight which formerly prevailed. And another innovation is that the ladies have not now to back out of the presence, but can pass straight across the room with their regulation trains in graceful negligence. And, by the way, just as these same trains are deftly taken down and arranged by the officials when one enters the Throne Room, so are they again gathered up and placed on the arm when leaving that august place. When all the presentations are over, and Sir Walter Parratt's skilful musicians have rendered the eight pieces on the programme, the Court retires, and there is a general move to the buffets, which hitherto during the evening have been thinly attended. The Royal family honoured a few personal friends with an invitation to their private, supper-room, where the meal was partaken j of seated. The menu ; however, was a short one, the King having.a rooted dislike to a lengthy sojourn at the tables. The dishes were rich and rare, special attention being given to the sweets, which in appearance were artistic triumphs. The display of gold plate in the general supper-room is superb in the extreme ; it is, in fact, part of a service which has an intrinsic value of a million and a-half sterling, and is unequalled for beauty of conception and workmanship. Also, the matchless glass, china, and flowers are noteworthy features, the entire appearance of the buffets —which are ranged round three sides of the rooms—defying accurate description. Very grateful are His Majesty's lieges that the old order of no refreshment has given place to a comfortable repast before braving the outer air.