When you consider how long the Queen has been throwing parties, it’s no surprise that she is really good at it. She’s got all the qualities of a great hostess: witty repartee, empathy, a lifetime’s worth of good stories, and, of course, a loyal staff handling the details. Going into Tuesday night at the NATO Summit, the headlines mainly focused on the enmity between Donald Trump and France’s Emmanuel Macron and a somewhat complicated feud between Trump, Jeremy Corbyn, and the National Health Service, it’s clear that a little Queen magic might be needed to keep spirits high. After a group photo in Buckingham Palace’s Throne Room, the Queen served drinks in the Green Drawing Room, and it really looked like people enjoyed themselves.
As was previously reported, the monarch was joined by a small group of her family to host the leaders. When they arrived they formed a long line in the Palace’s Music Room. She welcomed them alongside Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg, while Kate Middleton, Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were waiting inside. (Prince William, is currently on a tour in Kuwait, Prince Edward backed out due to illness and it was the first major event that Prince Andrew has missed after stepping down from public duties amid scandal.)
Anne warmly greeted Angela Merkel. In a bespoke green dress by Emilia Wickstead, Kate was photographed deep in conversation with Justin Trudeau. The Queen also wore a green dress, though hers was brocade silk, and she paired it with a shawl. According to the Telegraph, the Queen began the cocktail hour by speaking to the female leaders and First Ladies present, while Trump and Macron were seen speaking.
If there was any offense from when the Trumps showed up late for tea this afternoon, Charles and Camilla didn’t show it. Camilla greeted Melania Trump with a kiss on the cheek when they made it to Buckingham Palace. After drinks and conversation, the world leaders, who also included Turkey’s Reycip Tayyep Erdogan and Boris Johnson, headed back to 10 Downing Street where, without the Queen to hold court, we can only imagine they quickly went back to disagreeing.
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