How to Make a Spread That's Fit for a Queen

[cinrit]

As you can imagine, St George's Hall can host a lavish gathering that is fit for a queen – and laying the table alone takes two days.
The opulent room, which is reserved for state banquets at Windsor Castle, features a single 175ft table which is decorated with porcelain, and an Irishman plays a key role in making it look ornate.

Palace steward Nigel McEvoy, 46, who started his royal service 26 years ago as a footman, coordinates proceedings via a telephone link to the royal kitchen.  Mr McEvoy is the man who oversees the preparations, ensuring place settings measure 45cm, using a rod to achieve the exact alignment of chair and table.

The mahogany table, stretching the length of the room, dates back to 1846, and is composed of 68 'leaves'.

Men in white aprons polish a 175ft-long dining table to a mirror shine with a sort of padded croquet mallet while standing on it in their socks.

More: How to make a spread that's fit for a Queen: 1,200 glasses, 2,000 pieces of silver cutlery, a 175ft table, 100 footmen and two whole days to lay it

Cindy