All eyes are set on the upcoming Platinum Jubilee celebrations marking 70 years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Buckingham Palace is expected to host the festivities between June 2 and June 5, and just days ahead of the occasion, we get a lowdown of how the royal dinners are conducted. In a Marie Claire report, royal etiquette expert William Hanson dished out some important protocols that are supposed to be followed while dining with the Queen. While we may not be able to enjoy an exquisite meal with the Queen herself, we can definitely add a touch of royalty to our dinner table with these etiquette lessons.
William Hanson has revealed how everyone dining with the Queen should maintain decorum at the dinner table, which is both surprising and enlightening.
Here Are 7 Etiquette Protocols Of Royal Dinners:
1. How To Hold The Cutlery
This one comes as no surprise because almost all of us are well aware of it. Hanson told Marie Claire, "Traditionally, cutlery is held with the knife in the right hand, and the fork in the left, a rule that dates back to when men would carry their swords and daggers in their right hand."
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Fork and knife should be held the correct way.
2. Limit The Noise From Dinnerware
One has to eat their meal neatly without making any noise with their cutlery, plates or glasses. Hanson said, "In Western formal dining, we don't want any form of noise-whether that's unpleasant sounds of mastication or the fork and knife scraping along a near-empty plate.".
3. How To Signal You Are Done Eating
"When a member of the Royal Family is finished eating, they place their cutlery together," revealed Hanson. The right way to go about it is to treat the cutlery as needles of a clock and position them on the plate at 6:30 with the tines of the fork facing upwards. Read more about it here.
(Also read: Kitchen Tips: How To Use Fork And Knife - Celebrity Chef Shares Tips (Watch Video))
Place your cutlery on the plate to signal your meal is over.
4. Drink Tea From The Same Spot
It is pertinent to keep sipping your tea from the exact same spot where you started off. Hanson declared, "Royals can't turn their cups around while drinking, especially for those wearing lipstick." This shall help in avoiding lipstick smudges all over the rim of the cup.
5. How To Hold The Cup
And yes, there's a certain way you should hold your teacup as well. "Members of the Royal Family usually hold the teacup pinching their thumb and index finger between the handle, with their other fingers following the shape of the handle for support," explained Hanson.
6. Follow The Queen's Cues
No one should begin their meal until the Queen begins eating and everyone is supposed to end their meal the moment the Queen finishes hers. It is a formal courtesy shown to the Queen.
7. How To Use The Napkins
We can't just throw our napkins anywhere on the table, however, we like. Hanson tells, "Members of the Royal Family will place their napkins on their lap shortly after taking their seats, folding it in half with the crease facing away from them. When they are finished eating, the napkin is placed in a neat heap on the left-hand side of the setting." We think this is something we all should abide by no matter where we are eating.
(Also Read: Here's The Correct Way To Dispose Off Tissues In A Restaurant)
Napkin should be neatly placed on the side after the meal.
Fancy a royal meal? Go along with these royal dining conventions and enjoy an opulent affair.