The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-01-01
ROYAL DINNER
FOR PRESIDENT
King George Gives Brilliant
Banquet in Honor Of Wood
row Wilson.
ALL ROYAL FORMAIITIES
WERE OBSERVED
Queen Mary on Arm of Presi-
dent and King WIN Mrs. VIII
son. = Many Distinguished
Guests.

son. - Many sOlSLll1S ulS1Ieu
Guests.
London, Dec. 27.-No more regal
setting ever had been arranged in
Buckingham Palace than that which,
greeted President Wilson and Mrs.
| Wilson when they were escorted into
t.:-he banquet hall tonight for the
| precedent breaking state dinner. Ev-
cry royal forn1ality which had attend
ed epocal occasions at the palace for
ECO or 900 years was carried out be-
fore and during the banquet. Presi-
dent Wilson and Queen Mary led the.
procession into the dining hall, pre-
ceded by officials of the palace splen-
didly costumed, bearing wands and
walking backwards and making obei-
sance to the guests.
Immediately behind the president
!. and the queen came King George
and Mrs. Wilson. They were follow
ed by members Of the royal family.
At the head of the table IL per-
sons were seated, with King George
in the middle. President Wilson sat
at the kings right and Mrs. Wilson on
his left. To the right Of president
Wilson was Queen Mary and then the
tian, the Spanish ambassador and
Princess Patricia, daughter Of the
Duke of Connaught. at Mrs. Will
sons left sat Princess Mary, the Ital-
ian ambassador, Princess Beatrice
and the japanese ambassador in the
order named. The American ambas-
sador, John W. Davis, had the frs!
place at a side rectangular table or
President Wilson's right.
Prior to the dinner President and
Mrs Wilson were escorted from ythei;
apartm ents to the great white draw
ing room, where the royal family
had gathered with their other guests
These guests were presented to Presi-
dent and Mrs. Wilson and the Dime,
party immediately proceeded to the
dining hall.
The scene was one Of splendor. II
tthe dining salon was great collection
of solid gold plate and huge gold
| ornaments valued at $15,00o.000.
These had been brought from the
vaults for the occasion. One Of three
! buffets contained pieces Of plate toe
ilarge or otherwise too cum bersome for
| use. These included one piece OF
great size taken from the wreck of
the Spanish Armada. In color the
gold laden table blended with the dec
! orations in the hall, which are white
and gold, with crimson carpet and up
ihoIstering to match The crimson ef-
feet was further carried out by the
exclusive use Of poinsettias as floral
decorations. In the balcony at the
kend Of the room was a military or
Schestra, not hidden from view bl
floral or other decorations. The at
Itendants were in full state dress
(which was heavy with geld lace.
The banquet hall, which is 200 feet
Tong by rs feet wide, was approached
by the guests through a state hall
way a block long, richly furnished
and decorated with paintings anc
porcelain. The banquet hall occasion.
ally is used for banquets and other
/ purposes and has e, throne at one
end.
that the backs of President Wilson
and King George were toward tm
throne.
The permanent decorations seemed
strikingly simple when compared
with the regal table. On each si6e
SIX cut glass chandeliers hung from
| the extremely high ceiling, but for
the banquet tonight 12S candles in
gold candelabra, each surmounted bJ
| q pink silk shade, were used. Other
| light was obtained from fancy wal
fixtures.
The general body Of the guests pre-
ceded the royal family and the press
Dental and ambassadorial guests intS
the banquet hall. They rose and re
NAMED standing while the mais
guests and the hosts entered in pro
cession. Heading the procession wa
/ the lord chamberlain and the lor:
steward and other officials in state re
gala, yeomen Of the guard in re-
Elizatethan costumes and with ha;
herds were in attendance.
The guests at the state banqus
given tonight at Buckingham palac
we're:
King, George and Queen Mary. Pr:
ident and Mrs Wilson. Princess Ma1
Prince Henry. Prince George, +
Duke of Connaught, Princess Chris
tan, Princess Beatrice, Princess Pa
tricia of Connaught.
Admiral Grayson. Major General
B;ddle. Brigadier General Harts. Lord
Herschell. Sir Charles Gust, Paul Cam !
bon. The French ambassador, the Ital-
ian ambassador and the Marchioness !
Imperiali.
.1ea..o ,1,,.r1. aa1 I-oJ 4bo cpo c1, I,