FOREIGN OFFICE BANQUET

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 101, 15 May 1937, Page 5

FOREIGN OFFICE BANQUET

— Preae As*n.

Brilliant And Historic Function STATE BALL FOLLOWS

(By Telegraph-

— Copyright.)

(Eeceiived 15, 1.0 p.m.) LONDON, May 14. The Foreign Office banquet to-hight was another historic function for the Domiinion visitors who, for the first time, dined there with. their King and Queen. It is also the first time since 1911, when the Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Gray, dined with King George Y. and Queen Mary immediately after the Coronation, that the Eoyal Family has attended a Foreign Office function. Each Pnime Minister to-night had his own table. The Foreign Secretary, Mr E. Anthony Eden, and Mrs Eden, greeted the King and Queen at the ambassadors' entrance, after wfiich dinner was served in two dining rooms, one containing flve tables and the other two, the King and Queen each presiding at separate tables. The guests wore full Court dress. The National Anthem was played at 10.30, after whdch Their Majesties departed for Buckingham Palace, followed by the guests, to attend the State ball, at which 2000 people were present. The guests at the ball, which was the first of the new reign, was danced on the great crimson, white and gold ballToom. It was a scene of majestic splendour. Many guests wore national coetume, including Indians in oriental magnificence. Dancang continued tmtil the eariy morning, with a break for supper at midnight. Theif Majesties sat in golden thrones placed on a dais.