STATE BANQUET

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 9, 11 January 1946, Page 5

STATE BANQUET

SCENES OFjSPLENDOUR HISTORIC PALACE OF ST. JAMES Recd. 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 10 There weie scenes of brilliance and splendour unsurpassed since long before the war when His Majesty sat down with the delegates of 51 nations who were his guests to-night at a State banquet, in Saint James’ Palace. His Majesty, wearing the uniform of Admiral of the Fleet, sat in the centre of a long table, with four othex tables leading from it at right angles. Tall candles, burning in candelabra of solid geld, shed a mellow light on the white damask cloth. Massive gold vases were filled with pink chrysanthemums and pink and white orchics.

Doctor Angel (Colombia), who is temporary, chairman of the United Nations Organisation Geneial Assembly, sat at His Majesty’s right, M. Spaak (Belgium), at his left, because Belgium’s ambassador is the doyen of the Diplomatic Corps at Saint James. The British Prime Minis.er, Mr. Attlee, and nearly all the Briti.r Cabinet were present: also Sir John Anderson and Mr. Anthony Eden. The guests wore dinner jackets or service uniforms. There were 86 in all. At either end of the room, and epposite the King, were lovely pieces of the State collection of gold plate, including four flagons dating ‘from 16S0, and the four famous Warwick

Three couries—soup, lobster, ano partridge—were served on gold plate. Crown china, of which each piece was decorated with a gold ciown, was used lor the swee.s. Soft music, irom an unseen string band in the Throne Room made tne background for trifle lalk. s,

Two photographs were taken when the King and his guests sat down at the table... This was done at. His Majesty’s order to preserve a record cf the historic gathering for posterity. A cinema record was also made after dinner of His Majesty moving among the guests. It was the first State banquet at Saint Jarne-’ palace for a century.

“No place is more fitting than this day ana this place for reaffirmation

of the principles in the Charter of U.N.0.,” said the temporary President of the General Assembly, Dr. Zulela Angel, replying to His Majesty’s banquet speech. Dr. Angei said the glorious traditions oi Saint James’ Palace were enhanced duiing the war by the epic people’s heroism. Individual rights, dignity and justice had become part o[ every fibre of the British Commonwealth, as witness the courage with which the people defended iheir in-

stitutions against. Nazi m. The San Francisco Charter stressed the vital importance of the stimulation of a worldwide same respect lor dignity, justice and liberty for all men.

Dr. Angel concluded: ‘T raise my glass to Your Maje ty, to the British ( oininonwealth and tn the success of the United Nations Organisation!”