So, home and chilling with a cuppa. Skiving orchestra as knackered.
I wore a flowery grey, black & white dress (from BHS, not where i'd have thought to look but a friend recommended them and it was much cheaper than others I'd looked at), black jacket & black heels (feet still killing me!).
Had my hair & nails done yesterday (still in shock from the organisations, lol).
Taxi dropped us at the main gate, we walked across the bit you see in front, had to pause for the guards to change over in front of us, then through the main arch, across the internal courtyard - btw that gravel is really hard work to walk on in heels! - and into the main entrance up some red carpet 
Handed coats in and got given a slip of paper telling us which royals were attending that evening. Some I didn't see I confess as I don't know them!
Went up loads of stairs, got name badges, then into a long room with loads of artwork on the walls - sure the room had a name, they all did - apparently one of the best private art collections, i'm a bit of an ignoramus about this stuff, but they did look v impressive :)
Lots of champagne, teeny canapes, some I tried, some looked too unusual for me. Fave was teeny tiny cornish pasties
Then into another room (Gold room?) to shake hands with Prince Philip, who mostly talked to my DH to be fair, then allowed to wander in a variety of rooms drinking more champers. DH talked too much to his work colleagues if I'm honest, time flew by and all of a sudden it was time to go.
We had a fascinating talk with a man who works there and a lady-in-waiting of Sophie. Also talked to Sophie herself. Edward wasn't there so cannot confirm teeny-ness!
Got taxi to Chinatown, had dinner, then back to hotel. Long bath this morning, trip to Westfield and home. Exhausted.
Doing v similar next week for St Patricks party at the Irish Embassy
Back to earth in a mo, swimming with ds1, bathtime and DC to bed.