In my 15 years service with the
Band of the Scots Guards …
I saw many impressive state occasions both at
home and abroad - but none can compare to the
sheer splendour of a State Banquet in the Ballroom
of Buckingham Place.
I was the leader of the orchestra which plays music
during the State Banquets. We played in the Balcony
at the end of the Ballroom - directly opposite the
Royal thrones. When you go on a tour of the Palace,
just look to your left as you enter the Ballroom and
you will see the music stands and Organ ready to be
used at the next state occasion.
Lots of elements come together to make the banquets
so special - the wonderful Ballroom itself, the table
settings, the flowers and, of course, the food - though
there isn’t a lot of it! Guests come to talk rather than
eat. But it is all beautifully presented using English
ingredients - with a menu always written in French.
Included in the printed programme with the menu
is the music and the ceremony. Nearly all state
events that are held in the Royal palaces have musical
accompaniment from one the Guards regiments and
are flawlessly organised. After all, the Queen does
know what is supposed to happen and when.
A Bandsman in the Ballroom
London Blue Badge Guide Martin
spent fifteen years
in the Band of the Scots Guards playing clarinet
in the marching band and violin in the orchestra.
That’s Martin in the photograph above, standing to
the right. Here Martin shares some of his memories
of playing for HM The Queen at State Banquets at
Buckingham Palace. Further on in this month’s
issue of
The Kettle
we tell a bit more of the story
of welcoming royal guests to Buckingham Place in
preparation for this year’s Summer Opening of the
State Apartments. For 2015 you can join Martin on
a special day during which he’ll share many more
of his very entertaining insider stories of taking part
in all the pomp and ceremony of Royal London.
