Visiting timetable09:30 AM07:30 PM
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom
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banquets

Buckingham State Banquet: Silverware, Menu, and Seating Plans

Learn how Buckingham Palace stages a state banquet—silverware, menu planning, glassware, and precise seating choreography.

12/1/2025
12 min read
Long banquet table with silverware and crystal glasses at Buckingham

Every fork and glass has a place and purpose.


Laying the Table

  • Measuring distances for uniformity.
  • Silverware polish and placement.
  • Crystal alignment under chandelier light.

Table detail


Menu & Service

  • Seasonal courses with nods to visiting nations.
  • Crystal and silver service timed to the toast sequence.

Seating & Choreography

  • Place cards reflect precedence; routes planned to millimeters.
  • The Household rehearses timings, doors, and procession order.

Bottom Line

Precision serves hospitality—and diplomacy—in equal measure.

About the Author

Banquet & Protocol Editor

Banquet & Protocol Editor

I built this to help you enjoy Buckingham Palace calmly—smarter timing, better viewpoints, and context that makes ceremony and interiors sing.

Tags

state banquet
silverware
menu
seating
protocol

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