The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1909-04-17
ube King
is Dost
How Guests Are Entertained
at Windsor.

King Edward is an enthusiastic
than when, surrounded by guests IN
the Oak Room at Windsor Castle,
with his glass uplifted, he drinks to
toast proposed either by himself
Or his friends. Cabinet Ministers,
Uiyate friends, few naval and mill
tary men of. the highest rank, with
some two or three members OF the
royal family, usually make up the
brilliant company.
This is how guests who have re-
seiyed the honor of dine ana
sleep invitation from the King are
entertained at Windsor Castle. On
arriving at the visitors entrance they
are conducted to their various rooms,
and. unless they have a friend among
the Notwithstanding, or are I'M
MediateIy sent for by his Majesty,
there is an interval of two hours
Before it is time to dress for din
aer. The invitation. which is official
Iy issued by one of the royal secre-
taries. is to dine with the King
and to spend the night at Windsor
Castle" and the guests are expected
to assemble in the corridor at half
past s, in full evening dress, which
is indispensable.
At a quarter to 9 the King and
Queen and those members of the
royal family who are in residence at
the castle enter the corridor, bow
to the company assembled and pro-
eeed at once into the Oak Room,
where unless the guests exceed TWEEN
ty in number, dinner is always serv-
ed. The Oak Room 5adjOins the cor
ridor and looks out on the famous
QUADRANGLE. One side is hung with
she gorgeous Gobelin tapestry pre-
scented to the late Queen Victoria
by Louise Philippe, and a monster
sideboard laden with magnificent
plate is a prominent feature.
Dinner lasts about two hours. and
Besides the servants who wait, clerks
of the kitchen and cellarmen. all III
their full dress, are also in the room.
The meal consists of several elabo-
rate courses, and the wines are OF
indispensable excellence. Cham
payne, claret and Madeira are usu-
ally on the table. and Rhine Wine
Of WHICH the King has a splendid
stock is often produced.
When everybody has finished the
Queen rises from the table, and with
Her depart the ladies of the COM
pany to change their gowns for the
social portion of the evening. The
men remain seated with the King
ibr time, and often indulge in
few short and light speeches as the
toasts are proposed. or these His
Majesty Is particularly fond, warmly
participating in the fun and laughing
1feartily at some OF the jokes. Al
ter a short while the ladies reas.
semble in the corridor with the men.
and this opportunity is taken by their
0Eajesties to shake hands and speak
= few words to each Of their guests.
Having gone round the circle, the
AIUS duu NGuccu IctAc, duu tAC SOAI-
pany adjourns to one OF the drawing
rooms to spend the remainder OF
the evening with music and bridge.
; Should the programme include a
theatrical performance, the guests
receive a personal invitation from his
Majesty to witness the play, and
they should be in their places by II
O'Clock, their Majesties entering about
half an hour later. For those who
10 not care to attend there is an
excellent billiard room in the castle.
and a comfortable smoking room,
while those who wish can retire as
early as they please. The King and
Queen go to bed about 1880 O'Clock.
Those guests who wish to be called
early. or desire a warm bath in the
morning, leave word with one of the
servants overnight. The royal horses
and motor cars are placed at the
disposal of the company for early
morning drives. Breakfast is served
IN the guests own rooms or at one
Of the household tables, and the visi-
tors, after taking leave Of their hosts,
usually return to London by the
1880 o'clock train.-Tit-Bits.