Inside King Charles' 'tough' security protocols for state banquets - X-ray machine to code names
For the royals, security at these events is paramount
King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, at Windsor Castle for a state banquet last night (July 8) as part of the French President’s state visit to the UK.
For these events, there are some strict security protocols that must be adhered to, with everything from an X-ray machine to code names used.
Graham Tinsley MBE, a former royal chef and manager of the Welsh Culinary Team revealed the tough security measures in place.
“Really, really tight” security
Graham, who spoke to Hello Magazine, explained that they weren’t always aware of the security when cooking only for the royals themselves, but it “changed” when heads of state visited.
He said: “Then, the security was really, really tight.”
He explained that, in Wales, they would first set up a satellite kitchen in the grounds of Caerphilly or Cardiff Castle. Then, they’d move food to the banquet on foot. However, if there was a head of state visiting for the banquet, the catering staff would be required to meet at a police station and travel to Cardiff Castle via motorcycle.
He added: “For higher calibre banquets, we’re required to put all our food, containers, knives and kitchen equipment through an X-ray machine whilst motorcycles then drove us into the castle. Some banquets even had code names to protect their security!”
Charles’ speech at the Windsor state banquet
Charles made a speech during yesterday’s banquet.
He discussed the close historical ties between the UK and France: “A thousand years of shared history and culture between our two peoples.”
Charles added that both countries would face a “multitude of complex threats emanating from multiple directions” together “as friends and allies.
He also listed a range of cultural references that unite the two nations, from French painter Claude Monet depicting London scenes, actress Jane Birkin performing in French to footballer Thierry Henry being a club legend for Arsenal.
Macron, meanwhile, began his speech by thanking Charles and Camilla for welcoming him to Windsor Castle. He called it “a sign of your great courtesy and a testament to your friendship with France,” and saying that when France and the UK “come together around one table, everything is possible.”
Princess Kate’s return to work
Prince William and Kate Middleton took on a large role in greeting the Macrons upon their arrival in the UK, too.
Yesterday morning, they welcomed the couple at RAF Northolt as part of Kate’s gradual return to work after chemotherapy.
They were present at the banquet alongside Charles and Camilla, while other prominent figures included Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, musicians Sir Elton John and Sir Mick Jagger, actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, former England goalkeeper Mary Earps and TV personality and maître d’ Fred Siriex.
On the menu was a special cocktail, l’entente, which combines British gin with lemon curd and French pastis, as well as a range of wines. Chef Raymond Blanc put together a menu beginning with summer vegetables with sage, raw tomato and extra virgin olive oil, before Rhug Estate chicken with Norfolk asparagus and tarragon cream. The meal ended with iced blackcurrant-soaked sponge with elderflower jelly.
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