Call me an utter snob but I prefer state banquets held at Windsor Castle over those at Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace is like being inside a sparkling jewellery box, with candlelight reflecting off endless mirrors — but it feels quite purpose-built. It’s all business, masquerading as a good time. Whereas Windsor Castle has castellations, bits carved out of wood, nooks and crannies to explore, suits of armour and enormous vaulted ceilings. It’s an honest-to-God castle. And seeing as we’re all playing dress up in our tiaras, we may as well be in one.
With Buckingham Palace off limits for state occasions during its renovations, last night US president Donald Trump had the honour of being hosted at Windsor. Diplomacy is full of lucky coincidences. He was there for a state banquet held in his honour — a banquet I was also at. Why? Until November 8, I hold the position of being the Lady Mayoress of the City of London and accompany my husband, the Lord Mayor (Alastair King, not Sadiq Khan), to state banquets. Often we entertain visiting heads of state the night after they’re hosted by the Royal family though sadly, this time round, the City couldn’t tempt POTUS and FLOTUS to the Guildhall. Next time, maybe.
How do these evenings go? The format always the same: guests are introduced to the King, Queen, visiting head of state and their partners, before everyone sits down. It’s a night of some speeches and national anthems, before everyone helps themselves to dinner which is presented on platters served at the table by beaming waiters in uniform. Last night the food was delicious; I didn’t hesitate to ask our server if he wouldn’t mind coming back to me with seconds. People want to have a good time, but no one gets slaughtered; there are too many interesting people to talk to. So whilst you might expect the whole thing to be very stuffy or unfriendly, like one of those old H.M. Bateman cartoons, it just isn’t. They’re always very relaxed — but last night really felt like a family evening, and a welcoming home of friends.
The atmosphere was very jovial. The band was playing beautiful pieces of popular classical music, but also did a few things like the James Bond theme. The receiving line led by the King, when he shakes everyone's hands, was as always very witty and bright. Trump was engaging, and it was obvious he was enjoying the moment. Melania was smiling. Interestingly I thought thought there would be some A-list actors and so on, but it was much more about AI capabilities and the investment into the UK. I stared at Sam Altman thinking I might have been to university with him — but no. I recognised him because, well, he’s Sam Altman.
People want to have a good time but no one gets slaughtered; there are too many interesting people to talk to
Suffice to say, the current American administration has its fair share of critics in the UK. If Trump had any notion of protests, or projections onto the castle walls, fortunately for the UK’s economy, he couldn’t care less. The atmosphere in Windsor Castle was warm, familial and upbeat. Speeches from both His Majesty King Charles III and President Trump spoke of the strength of the friendship in all industries, our history of collaborating in innovation and the creative arts, shared values and security. Trump made reference to the King’s commitment to conservation and the environment and how much he admired him for it. It’s hard to say who was better; I’d call it a tie, but I really enjoyed Trump’s speech. And the value of this brotherly love? £30 billion. Think what you like, but having open and friendly lines of communication with our strongest ally historically is better than snubs or radio silence.
My only real sadness was not being able to host the Trumps in the City of London as we did with the Macrons earlier this year, when the City of London showed its greatest undervalued asset — super-soft power. The role of the Lord Mayor of the City of London is the UK’s global ambassador for financial, professional, legal and maritime services. For a one jam-packed year term, the Lord Mayor’s role is to beat the drum for the UK, attending over 900 events, making a similar number of speeches and visiting roughly 30 countries.
This is done by getting the right mix of people in the same room, aided by the fact that no one refuses an invitation to the Lord Mayor’s official residence, the Mansion House. He sums up his sales pitch of the UK as follows: “If you want to insure against catastrophe, do it in London; if you want to raise debt or equity, do it in London; if you’re going to fall out with your business partner, sue them in London.”
You get the idea. And while it would be very misleading to claim that it was the City of London to thank for this week’s announcement of investment into the UK’s tech scene, this constant beat of her convening power makes London the best place to do business.
It is very easy to be blinded by the pomp and glitz of these meetings or caught up in the protocol of wearing a tiara or not but the fact remains: these traditions are virtually unique on the global stage. Visiting foreign powers appreciate how well they are treated and are made to feel special. Certainly the photographs and the video footage don’t convey the relationships being forged and reinforced between nations at these events.
Florence King is the Lady Mayoress of the City of London. For information on the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, visit thelordmayorsappeal.org
