ROYAL GARDEN PARTIES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 228, 19 September 1908, Page 4

ROYAL GARDEN PARTIES

FACTS ABOUT THESE SELECT GATHERINGS. The delicate and arduous task of sending out invitations for a Royal garden party and receiving the replies is placed in the hands of the Lord Chamberlain, Who is assisted by a large stall'. That the latter is necessary will be easi.v understood when it is stated that the number of cards dispatched frequently reaches a total of 8,001). Each ot' the large white, gilt-edged cards, bearing the Royal crown, and neatly engraved, has to be filled in with the recipient's correct name, titles, f1.n.1 such honours as he may possess, and great accuracy is necessary in this in order to avoid giving offence. The names are taken from three, lists. There is, first of all, the list of persons who have the " right," to be present at all Court functions. This "right" is, of course, merely a nominal one, for no one is expected to attend a Royal function without being specifically invited, although, doubtless, if those on the list did -put in an appearance they would not be shown the door. Included in 'this list are members of the House of Lords and their wivef, the Ambassadors of foreign Powers, members of the Cabinet, the high officers of the law and of the Royal Household, and peeresses in their own right. The second list comprises meiulioriof the House of Commons, high naval and military olliecrs, civic dignitaries, baronets and knights, the judges and leading members of the Bar, and head* of the departments of State, LordLieutenants. etc.

These lists are subject to occasion..l revision, necessitated by death or t'.u elevation of those whose names appe'ir on it to higher posts or more exalted positions, or for other reasons. The third list is usually drawn up specially for each function, and consists ' of leading members of the Church, representatives of art, science, music, medicine, and the stage, leaders of commerce and trade, the members of local councils and other governing; bodies, and distinguished foreigners who happen to be staying in the country. The lists having been compiled are submitted to the King, who goes very carefully through them, adding or deleting names as he may wish. The lists are then returned to the Lord Chamberlain's department and a number affixed to each name. A corresponding number is put on the card of invitation. As the replies are received the names are licked oil', and when no reply comes to hand a mark is put against the name and a note made of the nuinlier. Special care is taken to see that the addresses to which the cards are sent arc correct, in order that, they may not fall into wrong hands. In the old days it was no infrequent occurrence for cards to change hands in a way that was not anticipated' or desired. It is an open secret that cards were frequently sold for large sums to persons who had no right, to be present. This practice was discovered at one of the Marlborough House garden-parties, owing to the presence there of certain parties who had not been invited and who gave up cards bearing names other than their own. Since then the precautions taken to prevent cards going astray have bee* very stringent, and those charged with tile duty of taking the cards of visitors at tile entrance to the castle are experienced men who are well acquainted with the leading personages of the day and are not likely to he 'deceived by bogus counterfeits masquerading undeV assumed names and titles.

The necessity for care on an occasion of tlie sort will be gathered when it is stated that a grat deal of the Royal plate, of enormous value, is displayed in the innumerable marquees where refreshments are served, and tint it. is a comparatively easy matter '■n gain access to Windsor Castle from where the garden-parties take place. No one is allowed to take a parcel ot any sort or even a photographic camera into the grounds without special permission, nor is anyone, without a permit, allowed to take sketches. * No on - is expected to approach within a certain distance of the Royal group, and it is, of course, contrary to etiquette, to address the King without being called upon to do so. It is the custom of the King, however, to move freely among his guests on these occasions and to shake hands with or address a few words to anyone lie recognises or who is specially brought to his notice. The visitor thus honoured must remove his hat. When Mark Twain was at Windsor the Queen spoke to him, and, seeing him standing in the sun bareheaded, asked him to put his hat on, which the humorist promptly did, much to the amusement of everybody.

Catering for a company of 8000 is 110 light matter. In the old'days the. staffs of the Royal palaces, assisted by waiters' supplied by a contractor, did the woik, but nowadays the task is entrusted to n firm of caterers. The Royal gardens still supply the fruit, the Royal bakeries much of the bread and pastries, and the wines come from the Royal cellars, But the ices, mineral waters, tea, co/Tee, confectionery, and other matters are provided by the caterer, wlio also supplies the china, glass, and silver plate. In Queen Victoria's time it was n.n etiquette to smoke at garden-parties, but the King frequently indulges in ;i cigar, and it is not regarded as an '> fraction of the social law for visitors to 'do likewise. At a recent garden-parr,/ at Windsor there was no smoking. In the matter of dress there is considerable latitude, and the tall hat and frock-eo-il, at one time the strict rule, have now been largely supplanted hy lounge su: : s and straw or Monte Carlo hats of soft felt.