To think that the rules on state dinners are wasteful and should be less so?

[BlueEyedPersephone]

On Radio 4 this morning they were talking about the queen and the state dinner tonight.... people can only eat when she is eating, so cannot start before her and have to finish when she does, therefore wasting any food left at they point, it is an old rule. Surely this is a huge waste of food and very outdated and out of touch given how many people cannot afford food in the first place. ( am bashing the rule not the queen)

I don't suppose the portions are huge.

I should think it's for practical reasons, they have to keep things moving. If they've got maybe a hundred people and several courses, then the speeches to get through, they can't keep everyone waiting for however long it takes for the last person to finish eating before they serve the next course.

I expect the guests have been well briefed, and the Queen has done enough of these events to know how to pace it, or someone will behind her murmuring 'We're running a bit late, Ma'am, we ought to be moving on to dessert now'.

I cant imagine there'll be huge amounts of food wasted. The portions arent exactly going to be massive & The Queen doesn't look as if shed inhale her food. Shes probably done it so often shes got the when to finish timing down to a fine art.

As pp said its probably the most effective way of keeping things moving smoothly

Queen knows about this and will be well practiced in allowing people a good go at their plates. She has lots of tricks to ease engagements or interaction along for people who meet her.

Princess Margaret, on the other hand, used to purposely bolt her food. And stubbed her fags out in the food that had often been especially prepared for her visit. Spiteful bitch.

I think the Queen is quite good at eating really slowly for this very reason. It is a bit weird though.

Actually I think the Queen is supposed to be quite a quick eater, so the dinner won't be a long one! No one will have left the table having to undo a waist button.