Wednesday night’s state dinner is expected to be an elaborate affair, with 160 invited guests, including major tech CEOs.
King Charles and President Trump will be seated together, while the Princess of Wales is on Mr. Trump’s right. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be on the king’s left. Across the table will be Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the queen, the first lady and Prince William.
The king has the ultimate stamp of approval on both the seating plan and the menu, reporters were told, with input from both governments. Other guests include Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tiffany Trump.
The dining table is nearly 52 yards long. Roughly 100 staff will be on tap to take care of the evening’s guests. The evening’s drinks give a nod to Mr. Trump and his heritage.
They include a Warre’s 1945 Vintage Port, made the year before the president was born. Hennessy 1912 Cognac Grande Champagne is a nod to the president’s mother, born in 1912.
The menu will consist of panna cotta with parmesan shortbread and a quail egg salad, chicken ballotine wrapped in courgettes with a thyme and savoury infused jus, and vanilla ice cream bombe with a raspberry sorbet interior. The specially crafted cocktail for the evening is called the transatlantic Whisky Sour, a twist on the whisky sour.
The evening’s flowers are handpicked seasonal flowers from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park.
The night’s music will include “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” “An Irish Party in Third Class,” and a James Bond medley, among other pieces.
By Kathryn Watson and Olivia Rinaldi