Hello, it’s your Inner Queen calling, and she says you’ve worked hard this week. She also told me you deserve a night of regality and grace.
While venues may be opening up more, there is still a significant risk when it comes to COVID – but fear not! You don’t have to go to a swanky restaurant to Queen it up. You can stir up your inner Queen by spoiling her with the luxuries of being royal. Hosting a state dinner in the comfort of your home with your partner, your family or your support bubble can be a real treat, and it will make you all feel special. Not sure? Here is how you can host your own state dinner at home.
Set the rules
I’ve put my own ideas here, but part of the queen is setting rules and boundaries, so here is an opportunity to practice. A great way to do this is to send out an ‘invite’ to the person or people you wish to eat with, and set a time, a date and a dress code. It’s a great opportunity to rehearse being assertive!
Serve the finest cuisine
A personal favourite here is to pop to M&S or Waitrose and get some real treat food. Pick out the things you’ve always looked at but thought too rich or fancy for your normal diet. State dinners have multiple courses, so you need at the very least, a starter, main, dessert, cheeseboard and coffees and petit fours or chocolate mints for afterwards. Ideally, you want to do this a few days before your state dinner, so you can prepare the menu in advance. Yes, we are pulling out ALL the stops here!
Set the Scene
Lay the table with your best table cloth, your finest place settings, and your best cutlery. Dig out the crockery you only use twice a year for your elderly aunt’s visit and Christmas day. Add an elegant centrepiece, candles, flowers, place cards, and don’t forget the napkins! Her Majesty doesn’t wipe her mouth with kitchen roll.
Dress to Impress
Dig out your nicest outfit, and have your partner dig out theirs. Whether it’s the suit reserved for weddings or ‘that dress’ you bought for an occasion cancelled by COVID, wear it! Spend time doing your hair, washing your body, applying your make up, painting your nails, and spritzing your favourite perfume. You wouldn’t rock up to Buckingham Palace in sweatpants, would you?
Choose your beverages carefully
The Queen serves wine at most state dinners – but not everyone drinks. Wine, prosecco, champagne, sherry, and non-alcoholic alternatives are allowed. The important things are that you enjoy it, and that you serve it in a glass that gives the drink real status.
Skip the Netflix, Choose Ambiance
No Tiger King in the background today! This meal should be enjoyed over some ambient music, such as a selection of classical concertos, the soundtrack from a musical you enjoy, or an acoustic cover album.
Revel in the Regal
Don’t rush your meal down. Enjoy every bite, savouring the flavours in your mouth, as well as the engaging conversation. Its rare we spend time enjoying each other’s company nowadays, without a screen in the room. Cherish the time together, dressed in your best, with the beautiful change of scene (despite not having to leave the house!).
