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Menu Card, Music Card and Seating Plan detailing Positions of Dignitaries attending for the Luncheon on 22nd June 1921 after the Opening of the first Northern Ireland Parliament June 1921
In ArchivePaper documents Collection Ref: RCIN F&V ENGT/1921
Menu Card, Music Card and Seating Plan detailing Positions of Dignitaries attending for the Luncheon on 22nd June 1921 after the Opening of the first Northern Ireland Parliament June 1921
The lunch card describes on the front of the card as follows
“Visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen on the Occasion of the State Opening of the Parliament of Northern Ireland
Luncheon given by the Prime Minister
Belfast June 22, 1921”
The menu within shows that the Starter was
“Melon cantaloupe”
The next course was
“ Lobster Salad with Salmon Mayonnaise”
The next course was
“Roasted Saddle of Lamb with Watercress Chicken”
Next course was:
A “Galantine” which is a dish of boned, stuffed Meat.
There was “Limerick Ham”, “Cold Beef” and “Beef tongue”.
The Desert course was:
“Peach Melba and Macedonian fruits”
Next on the Order of service was the Toast to “The King“
The rear of the Menu Card indicates the Program of Music, that was played throughout the Luncheon by The Band of the First Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles
It is interesting to note that four of the Pieces of music chosen to be played in the selection had distinctive Irish roots.
The Plan of Tables and Seating Arrangements at The Luncheon
The Plan of tables
The plan sets out precisely where each of the assembled Dignitaries and Invitees was to sit, and beside whom, during the Luncheon in Honour of the King and Queen, following the Opening of Parliament in City Hall.
The Head Table table, Table A, ran the length of the room within which the Luncheon was being held, and also ran across the width of the room, at each end, in two perpendicular Tables.
In between these two extensions of Table A were tables B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I, K and L. There was no Table J designated, for whatever reason.
If you look to the top of the Plan you can see, that, seated centrally, at the Top table, Table A was the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, James Craig, and, to his right, was seated the Queen, and to his left, the King.
At a rough count there are 422 names set out here of those who were invited to Luncheon with the King and Queen.
It is interesting to note that amongst all the Lords, Ladies MPs Judges and other Dignitaries who were invited to attend the Luncheon there were also, set aside, seating for 20 members of the Press.
Owned by by Royal Collections Trust Collection Ref: RCIN F&V ENGT/1921. Images Used with Permission Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2021