Fare and Flair Entertaining Ideas From Anne Sweeney
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Entertain Royally
An English Garden Party
Celebrating Her Majesty's
Diamond Jubilee
By Anne Sweeney
It's June, 1953 and I am enraptured by the beautiful face on the front page of the Providence Journal. ELIZABETH IS CROWNED, thunders the headline and at the age of 10, I become a confirmed Anglophile. The paper is filled with news of the Coronation and photos of a very heavy crown being placed atop the head of this solemn and small young woman, who, at 26, is expected to lead the nation into a new Elizabethan Age. *
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A china cup commemorates the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
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There are also advertisements for all manner of English goods from fine china to face cream, endorsed by English debutantes and socialites. Her Majesty embodied the best of the nation in many ways, including her flawless complexion!
Little did I dream that I would one day come to live in her magical kingdom for seven years and later, to handle the US public relations for Historic Royal Palaces. These included Hampton Court, Kensington Palace and The Tower of London where today, visitors can take a spectacular tour of the Jewel House where the Imperial State Crown. the Royal Orb and Scepter and other Crown Jewels are kept. There is also a huge screen with films of the Coronation which I missed in '53 as we did not yet have a TV.
And so, I have followed the activities of my favorite monarch and most notable client for many years. I was not always reverential - I do a fair imitation of Her Majesty speaking French in clipped tones - and sometimes critical. The handling of Princess Diana's death almost brought down the crown. But the queen saw the need for change, made a brilliant comeback and now will celebrate her Diamond Jubilee. She has sat on the throne for sixty years, a record matched only by her great, great grandmother, Queen Victoria who reigned for 64 years. Queen Elizabeth has seen 12 prime ministers come and go, including Sir Winston Churchill, Dame Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair. She has rarely "put a foot wrong" as the English like to say, and when she did, she learned from her mistakes. She has been a model monarch and at 86, is going strong, with no plans to step down.
That certainly warrants a celebration and we are planning a perfect English Garden Party to mark Her Majesty's long and truly majestic reign.
* Princess Elizabeth became queen in April, 1952 upon the death of her father, George VI. She was crowned on June 2, 1953.. Preparations for a coronation take many months, which is why Her Majesty's uncle, Edward VIII, was never crowned because he abdicated to marry an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. His brother the Duke of York became king, making Elizabeth next in the line of succession. She is the sixth Queen Regnant as opposed to Queen Consort, the wife of the reigning king.
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Hosting An English Garden Party
Queen Elizabeth II is noted for her garden parties where hundreds of Britons assemble behind Buckingham Palace to meet the Royals. Our garden party is somewhat more modest, encompassing the back lawn of a New Jersey condo, but with a little research and a lot of style, you can still create an elegant atmosphere fit for a queen.
English Fare
An English Garden Party calls for flair, freshness, color and class. Traditional English food can provide all of the above as long as you stick to a menu that is authentically English but appeals to a diverse audience. This is not the place for fish n' chips, cream buns, marmite, vinegar crisps, Scotch Eggs, baked beans or any of the other quirky dishes like Toad In the Hole that still infest English cookery.
Plan a buffet that looks like enough for Henry VIII, whose Hampton Court kitchens fed hundreds of visitors with a great variety of fish, game and vegetables, dramatically presented and heightened by spices from the New World and Asia. Make a gorgeous poached salmon the centerpiece, with country pates of duck and game as well as a vegetarian option. Cold ham and roast beef are good choices, just be sure to provide a fine English mustard and a horseradish sauce. If you can afford to make a more regal statement, cold pheasant and a Cumberland sauce will surely do it.  | |
Angels on Horseback, oysters wrapped in bacon, grilled and fit for a queen.
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If you want to have a few passed hors d'oeuvres, try grilled prawns, cheese balls made of English cheddar, mushrooms stuffed with goat cheese or English cucumbers spread with smoked trout pate or salmon mousse. Another opulent English savory is Angels on Horseback - oysters wrapped in bacon and grilled. British cheeses are wonderful and varied - Caerphilly, Cheddar, Cheshire, Derby, Gloucester, Lancashire and Leicester, are best known and usually available at good cheese shops in the US. More exotic cheeses, if you can find them are Caithness and Red Windsor. Get a crock of Stilton and put a good bottle of port next to it. Be sure to provide a little flag with the name of each cheese. Serve with Carrs Water Crackers and Irish butter.
Glorious asparagus is in season - add a vinaigrette, or hollandaise. Crudities with a freshly made dip are
colorful and healthy. Look for something beyond the standard celery and carrots.with cherry tomatoes, jicama, endive and snow peas.
Tea sandwiches are traditional but a lot of work. unless you get a caterer to make them up for you. The Queen of Domesticity, Martha Stewart, has some great recipes for those with the patience to make a variety of fillings and trim off endless amounts of crust.
If you don't fancy spending time making tea sandwiches, consider roast beef or ham sliders.
 | Food from the Commonwealth can add spice to a Royal Menu. Try these Indian Samosas or other Asian and Caribbean treats.
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Looking to add a little spice to the Royal Menu? Consider setting up a table with Commonwealth Cuisine from some of the Commonwealth of Nations. Her Majesty is Head of the Commonwealth and dedicated to maintaining ties with her former colonies. This opens up options from Indian samosas and Caribbean shrimp to Shanghai dumplings and Singapore satay.
For something sweet, nothing is more obscenely rich than scones with strawberry or raspberry jam and sweet, thick clotted cream. Strawberries and cream are a staple at English garden parties. Or, dip them in chocolate for easier serving.
An English Trifle can be a lusciously lethal combination of cake, soaked in sweet wine or liqueur, and topped with fruit and fresh whipped cream. You can also add a layer of chocolate. My favorite trifle is made with ladyfingers soaked in Chambord, a raspberry liqueur, plus a layer of chocolate mousse, raspberries, more Chambord and cream.
 The Loyal Toast
Libations are important, and Britannia has given us some wonderful ales, whiskeys and gin. We have it on good authority that Her Majesty's favorite poison is a gin martini, so why not go with a pitcher of Bombay Sapphire martinis - the blue bottle bears a picture of Queen Victoria. In keeping with the garden ambiance, come up with some different garnishes such as black olives with a sprig of rosemary or thyme. A Kir Royale of Champagne, creme de cassis or Chambord, garnished with raspberries, is perfect as a welcome drink or for the Loyal Toast. Wine, English beer, ice tea are all possibilities. I would avoid Pimms Cup as being too bitter for American tastes and sherry is too boring. Just be sure there is something left over for the Loyal Toast to Her Majesty.  | |
A Hard Day's Knight - Queen Elizabeth II has knighted several British musicians including Sir Paul McCartney.
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Madrigals, McCartney, and the Queen's Pipers In addition to God Save the Queen and Land of Hope and Glory, you have options from madrigals to modern music. Why not choose music from the six decades of Queen Elizabeth's reign? Her Majesty has knighted several musicians including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards,Bono, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey and Bob Geldorf. Do use discretion and make up a special track rather than just slap on a CD of the Stones or Sir Elton. This is not the time for Sympathy for the Devil or The Bitch Is Back.  | |
Pipe Major Derek Potter is Her Majesty's official piper.
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Like Queen Victoria, Her Majesty is fond of bagpipe music and the pipers play under her window each morning. If your budget permits a bagpiper, that will really rock the Royal World! Other entertainment could include a Best Hat Contest, and for history and culture buffs, a Royal Quiz covering the major events of Queen Elizabeth's reign. Gossip, fashion, popular culture, are fair game here. What's a royal family without a scandal or two! Decor and Dress
This is the time to get out the silver platters, white tablecloths and fill your best vases with colorful flowers. A Union Jack hung on the deck makes a great statement and you can order small flags as favors and cocktail napkins online. A wall of photos of Queen Elizabeth can be created from the Internet - an English travel poster would work well too.  | |
Peers of the Realm wear Coronation Robes, on state occasions. Above, the late Earl of Litchfield, a cousin of the queen and a noted photographer. .
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What's the dress code? Let your guests take their cue from Her Majesty who is always beautifully turned out in a colorful dress and matching hat. Ascots and boaters for gentlemen, fascinators, huge hats or tiaras for the ladies! And of course, if you have them, your Coronation Robes!!. God Save the Queen! |
 About Anne Sweeney
All About Anne
Anne Sweeney is a public relations consultant, cook and party planner, based in Central New Jersey. She writes frequently on food, entertaining and lifestyle Anne also writes a political blog, The Banshee and Spin, a newsletter covering communications. Her short stories have been published online and in US1 Newspaper in Princeton, New Jersey. Phone: 732-329-6629 aspubrel@aol.com   |
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