King George V and Queen Mary (wearing her Lover’s Knot Tiara) hosted a Banquet for Dominion Prime Ministers, the British Cabinet and Colonial Leaders in the Picture Gallery of Buckingham Palace on this day in 1923, 100 years ago, during the 1923 Imperial Conference, which was the precursor of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM).
The King and Queen entertained delegates to the conference and the ladies accompanying them at dinner at Buckingham Palace to night The party which included members of the British Cabinet numbered about 60 Their Majesties mingled with the guests in the drawing room after dinner
The King and Queer entertained dinner at Buckingham Palace last night the delegates to the Imperial Conference, together with their ladies and members of the Government. The party, which numbered about sixty, included, besides the Dominions representatives, the Duke and Duchess of York, the Prime Minister, and Mrs. Baldwin. Presentations were made in the drawing-room, and dinner was laid in the State dining-room, their Majesties sitting opposite each other in the centre. Afterwards their Majesties joined the guests in the drawing-room. The Scots Guards and pipers provided the music.
On arrival the guests were conducted to the drawing-room, where they were presented to the King and Queen The party being completed, their Majesties, at half. past eight, led the way to the State dining. room, where dinner had been laid at one long table. Red roses had been chosen for the table decorations. After dinner the party returned to the drawing-room, where the King and Queen mingled with their guests, remaining there for some time before retiring.
Among the invited guests unable to attend the dinner were the Earl of Balfour and Miss Balfour, Mr. and Mrs. Asquith, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd George, and Mr. Cos-grave (President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State).
The King and Queen were joined by the Duke and Duchess of York (likely wearing the Lotus Flower Tiara) among members of the extended Royal Family.
The Queen wore a gown of nattier blue and silver English brocade with a pearl and diamond Tiara (likely her Lover’s Knot Tiara) gleaming in her hair. Among other jewels worn were the lesser Stars of Africa and the Order of the Garter.
