For the Royal Table: Dining at the Palace

The book presents an up front view of the table of the House of Windsor. The book is informal but has excellent photos and the writing presents a great inage of how the tables reflect the Royals. It is historical because you can see a collection of items that cover centuries. It is worth having, because it adds another image of English history to the experience of the readers.

A lovely book which details the many extensive preparations required for State banquets given at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II. Vivid color photos, both current and historical, show the exquisite table settings, lovely fruit and flower arragements, magnificent gold and silver-gilt serving pieces, exquisite Sevres service plates, glassware, linens and even how to fold a Dutch bonnet napkin. Perhaps the most spectacular is the Grand Service, which includes 14 tureens and 107 candelabra and 2,000 pieces of cutlery. The lavish display of gold plate at banquets was meant to show the monarch's wealth, power and glory and surely, it has to be a wonderous experience to sit at table with such magnificent table settings even today. I also liked seeing the historic copper moulds & color illustrations of lavish Victorian confections and ices, which would be presented at table on fantasy stands during Queen Victoria's era. Found out a secret about those whole pineapples used as table decorations -- they are actually sliced in the kitchen, reassembled and the slices are offered at desert time. There are a few recipes from the olden days, like Turtle soup, which few of us will likely experience today, since it requires a 200 lb. turtle, 2 legs of veal, ham slices, 8 fowls, various vegetables & 8 bottles of Madeira wine, which have to cook all day long. It was George IV's favorite dish. Diagrams of table placements, both old and new, show the complicated art of seating and you will read about how service personnel are trained to serve these elaborate banquets, even as to how & in what order wine glasses are removed. Hand painted menu cards in French complete the table setting. There is also a list of Heads of State entertained by Queen Elizabeth II since 1952 up through 2008, the first being King Gustaf and Queen Louise of Sweden. A fine historical record for anyone interested in royal dining. Dinner anyone?

The book is smaller than I expected and the print quality is not great. Fun to read nevertheless.

I was very happy to get this book, as it revealed old menus that showed what Royal dining for various occasions was ans, in fact continues to be. I view it as a reference book that also is a primer for recipes that I had not heard of, and hope on day to try in my own kitchen. well worth having.

Not a cookbook per se but full of information! Lots of photos too

For anyone with a serious interest in Britain's Royal Family, this book which accompanies the program being currently shown on PBS will find this book very absorbing and highly interesting. All in lavish color, the book takes one on a first hand tour of the day to day goings on of the Royal Family including fabulous and extravagant dinners and holiday gatherings. A great "read" for the holidays. James McKinney

So happy to find this vintage book on dining at Buckingham Palace.

bought this as a gift for a friend of mine who is very interested in fine dining. he loves the royal family, too, so it was really perfect for him. it's a nice book. fast shipping!

Exactly as described. Arrived in perfect condition and ahead of time. Can recommend the supliers. The book is very well written with good photographs and illustrations and very worth having.

A pretty but disappointing book that Google suggests contains reprints of the original recipes of Mildred Nicholls as presented on BBC's Royal Recipes. There was one. A book to be scanned once and then put aside.

Wished there were more recipes. Very limited....not a recipe book!