Photo By: Alison Herndon ©2005 IBS Design, LLC


Photo By: Alison Herndon ©2005 IBS Design, LLC

Designer:

Pat Galente
Dining Décor - Rentals & Creative Concepts for Fine Entertaining, Marietta, 770-973-1511

Additional Providers For This Table

Underlay and Napkins: BBJ Linen, Dee Lane Eades

Overlay, Chair Fabrics: Custom-made by Dining Décor

Menu, Place cards, Chargers, Bellagio Candelabrum, Victorian Table Accessories: Dining Décor

Julep Vase Candle Favors: Dining Décor

Table Description:

"My dear Sarah,

"Thank you for all your support. You have turned out to be such a dear friend to all the wives of "Wales." I know that Fleet Street will not hear a word of what I write.

"Though I am thrilled to move into an official position with "C" it has been quite difficult for me, as you must have heard … I feel I would not receive an invitation were I not the bride! But it will be worth putting up with the hubbub, having waited over three decades to finally marry my Prince.

"Of course, seating protocol is a serious issue. "C" and I cannot sit at the head of the table, nor in thrones - that would be for HM and the Royal Consort. So I hear they have decided to follow the style of The White House and seat us at a round table which has no seat of prominence. How egalitarian! No doubt I will be seated at the farthest point from "Mummy."

"I have little to contribute so I do keep my stiff upper lip. The staff is making all the dinner arrangements. HM has declared, I hear from a kind footman, that white is banned as being in obvious poor taste … perhaps we can use the white linen napkins which are always proper. I will wager that they polish up a bunch of odd, engraved sterling napkin rings for them.

"If I had a voice in the design, I would promote all things equine, our common passion. But they will probably follow the heritage of the castle, using all the dusty fabrics and tapestries that have been in it for centuries. As you know, they often look quite worn and are never really matched. Their provenance, however, is impeccable. They might place more vintage fabric on the chairs to dress them a bit. Hopefully most of the dinnerware will be clean and matching, but I feel confident they will dig up more bits of "history" to keep the table in a "Windsor" theme ... musty chargers perhaps?

"No flowers, I hear … a disappointment, but so long as I can see lit candles on that wonderful iron candleholder with the sandstone base I will be satisfied. It seems a bit whimsical to me. I am considering donating some fine old silver cups from my family to hold more candles and warm up the table … the guests will be able to take them as momentos. If I don't provide something for the guests, they will receive absolutely nothing to remember our big day.

"How sad that you will not be there to join us … but rest assured that I will keep an eye on Andrew and fill you in on all the slights and snubs I encounter on my wedding day. Tea at Highgrove when I return, what say?

"Ta, my dear. My love to Beatrice and Eugenie."

Camilla