Historic State Banquet for Nigerian President at Windsor Castle
A grand state banquet for the president of Nigeria is currently unfolding at Windsor Castle, with King Charles III extending a warm welcome to the country's leaders for the first time in almost forty years. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, are poised to join British royals for the highlight of their two-day official visit.
Elaborate Preparations and Royal Attendance
Stretching the entire length of St George’s Hall, a magnificent 155-foot dining table has been adorned with fragrant spring flowers sourced locally, illuminated by the gentle glow of 143 candles. Staff commenced setting the table early on Monday morning, with final adjustments completed just hours before guests were scheduled to arrive. The scale of the event is staggering, requiring 960 knives and forks and 62 pepper pots to accommodate the 160 invited attendees.
In addition to the King, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, other distinguished royals in attendance include the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Notable Nigerian guests feature author Sir Ben Okri, artist Yinka Shonibare, footballer Eniloa Aluko, singer Tiwa Savage, presenter Ade Adepitan, athlete Christine Ohuruogu, and Diana Awards chief Tessie Ojo.
Cultural Accommodations and Culinary Delights
Special arrangements were made for Muslim guests observing Ramadan, including designated prayer areas and provisions for Iftar. Remarkably, for the first time in recent memory, the royal household served canapés at the pre-banquet reception to allow fasting guests to break their fast, considering that the main meal would not commence until after speeches around 9pm.
President Tinubu, honoured as the first Nigerian leader to receive a state visit in 37 years, was offered orange juice for his toast. A bespoke non-alcoholic cocktail, the Crimson Bloom, was crafted for the occasion. Inspired by the traditional African Chapman cocktail, it blended Zobu (a West African soft drink), English rose soda, and homemade hibiscus and ginger syrup, accented with lemon and subtle spices.
English sparkling wine was selected for toasts among those consuming alcohol, and the menu was entirely meat-free. The culinary journey began with a soft-boiled egg tartlet featuring watercress, kale, and a basil sabayon. The main course consisted of fillet of turbot with lobster mousse wrapped in spinach, accompanied by beurre blanc sauce, sprouting broccoli, hollandaise sauce, a fricassée of peas and broad beans, and Jersey Royal potatoes. Dessert was an iced blackcurrant soufflé with red fruit coulis.
Wine Selection and Charitable Gestures
The wine list showcased prestigious selections, including Sugrue South Downs Cuvée Boz Blanc de Blanc 2020, Domaine Vincent & François Jouard Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru Vieilles Vignes 2022, Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Grand Cru Classé Pauillac 2000, and Louis Roederer Brut Vintage 2000. Post-dinner, guests were treated to Dow’s 1983 Vintage Port and Bowmore Queen’s Cask 1980 from Islay.
Following the banquet, any flowers that cannot be reused will be donated to Floral Angels, a charity based at the New Covent Garden Flower Market in London, under the patronage of Her Majesty The Queen. These blooms are then distributed to hospices, elderly care homes, shelters, and other community beneficiaries.
Ceremonial Welcome and Procession
Earlier in the day, President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu were formally welcomed to Windsor Castle by King Charles and Queen Camilla. The streets were lined with green and white Nigerian flags alongside Union flags, while an oversized Royal Standard flew proudly from the Round Tower.
The Prince and Princess of Wales initially greeted the couple at the luxurious Fairmont Windsor Park hotel, escorting them by car to Windsor town centre for the official meeting with the King and Queen. Upon arrival at the Royal Dais in central Windsor, Charles and Camilla were greeted by the national anthem performed by a military band.
The King, Queen, Prince William, Princess Kate, and the Nigerian presidential couple then embarked on a carriage procession, showcasing traditional pomp and pageantry as they travelled through Windsor to the castle's quadrangle. There, they inspected the Guard of Honour during the ceremonial welcome, marking a significant moment in bilateral relations.
