Dinner with the Queen - Or What a Lot of Washing Up

As you prepare to set the table for this year's big holiday feasts, getting out your best china, crystal and cutlery, arranging the seasonal centerpieces and so on, spare a thought for the staff at Windsor Castle preparing for one of the Queen's State Banquets.

It takes the staff two days to lay the table for 160 people. Before hand, it takes a team of 8 three weeks to wash, dry and polish the 8,000 piece, silver gilt George IV Grand Service of plates, platters, serving utensils, centerpieces, candelabra and so on.

Good thing it only happens twice a year.

Find out more about behind the scenes at a Royal banquet in 10 Facts About Dinner With the Queen.

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