Strictly's Johannes Radebe attends King Charles' first State Banquet

Strictly’s Johannes Radebe shares glimpse at his suave tuxedo as he attends King Charles’ first State Banquet at Buckingham Palace

  • Johannes Radebe shared a glimpse at his smart tuxedo as he attended King Charles’ first State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday 
  • The Strictly Come Dancing professional, 35, took to Instagram to share a picture of his suit, and a photograph of his invitation
  • The dinner was held in honour of South African president Cyril Ramaphosa and guests include those connected with the visiting nation 
  • South African dancer Johannes gave fans a look as his invitation, which featured a photograph of Buckingham Palace’s gates 

Johannes Radebe shared a glimpse at his smart tuxedo as he attended King Charles’ first State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.

The Strictly Come Dancing professional, 35, took to Instagram to share a picture of his suit, and a photograph of his invitation to the dinner, held in honour of South African president Cyril Ramaphosa.

Johannes posted a close-up snap of his white shirt and bowtie, which he styled with a smart black blazer as he attended the prestigious event.

Exciting: Johannes Radebe (pictured on October 27) shared a glimpse at his smart tuxedo as he attended King Charles’ first State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday

The South African dancer also gave fans a look as his invitation, which featured a photograph of Buckingham Palace’s gates.

It read: ‘The Lord Chamberlain has received His Majesty’s command to invite Mr Johannes Radebe to a State Banquet to be given at Buckingham Palace by The King and The Queen Consort in honour of The President of the Republic of South Africa and Dr Tshepo Motsepe on Tuesday, 22nd November 2022, at 8.30pm.’

He later took to his Instagram Stories to share a short video as he drew up to Buckingham Palace, showing the royal residence lit up by spotlights.

Proud: The Strictly star, 35, took to Instagram to share a picture of his suit, and a photograph of his invitation to the dinner, held in honour of South African president Cyril Ramaphosa

Alongside the pictures, he excitedly wrote: ‘A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.’

Johannes previously met royal Prince Edward in May as they celebrated the Duke of Edinburgh Gold award winners.

Duke of Edinburgh programme alumnus Johannes shook hands with Prince Edward at the event.

Now, he has attended the State Banquet, held by the King, Queen Consort and other members of the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace.

Smart: Johannes posted a close-up snap of his white shirt and bowtie, which he styled with a smart black blazer as he attended the prestigious event

Arriving: He later took to his Instagram Stories to share a short video as he drew up to Buckingham Palace, showing the royal residence lit up by spotlights

Guests include members of the government, the diplomatic corps, and other figures connected with the visiting nation. The Banquet is both a welcome to the Head of State and a chance to cement diplomatic relations. 

The event will offer a lavish menu of two mains: grilled brill with wild mushrooms, truffles and sorrel sauce or ballotine of Windsor Pheasant filled with artichokes, quince compote and port sauce.

It is a departure from the banquets of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who often favoured Balmoral venison or lamb from one of the other royal estates when hosting foreign dignitaries. 

The sides will include a selection of assorted Chantenay carrots, kale with roasted butternut squash, braised fondant potatoes and salad.

Overjoyed: Alongside the pictures, he excitedly wrote: ‘A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great’

Meeting: Johannes previously met royal Prince Edward in May as they celebrated the Duke of Edinburgh Gold award winners

Iced Vanilla Parfait with Caramelised Apples or coffee and bite-sized confectionery are the options for dessert.

There are wines on offer to accompany the luxurious food, including a Château Feytit-Clinet, Pomerol 2000 that tastes of ‘melted liquorish, cherries and earth’, plus £75 Taylor’s Vintage Port 1983.

Others include Ridgeview Blanc de Blancs 2016, an English sparkling wine that goes at £60 a bottle, a £77 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru, a Morgeot, Clos de la Chapelle, Domaine Duc de Magenta 2014 which goes for £61 and Château Rieussec 1er Grand Cru Classé Sauternes 2007 which is £55.

On Monday, the kitchens at Buckingham Palace also created the national flowers of South Africa, Protea, out of sugar and edible colouring, for the State Banquet.

Shaking hands: Duke of Edinburgh programme alumnus Johannes shook hands with Prince Edward at the event

Preparations for a State Banquet begin well over a year in advance, but the final ‘build’ of the State Banquet table starts around five days ahead of the arrival of the visiting Head of State.

The operational arm of Buckingham Palace, The Master of the Household’s department, take the main bulk of the responsibility for ensuring the Banquet runs according to plan.

Preparations for a State Banquet begin well over a year in advance, but the final ‘build’ of the State Banquet table starts around five days ahead of the arrival of the visiting Head of State.

The operational arm of Buckingham Palace, The Master of the Household’s department, take the main bulk of the responsibility for ensuring the Banquet runs according to plan.

Honoured: The State Banquet is being held in honour of South African president Cyril Ramaphosa (pictured with King Charles, Camilla, Queen Consort, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine)

Once the tablecloths have been laid the napkins, folded into a Dutch bonnet shape, are usually the first items to go on the table. 

After the Banqueting table is put together, and the decorative display is delivered, unpacked and positioned in place, the final touches are added.

Place settings are measured at exactly 45 centimetres apart. A setting comprises two knives and forks with a dessert spoon and fork above; to the left of each place are a porcelain side plate and a silver butter knife, and a small glass butter dish.

The table length can be adjusted but the usual set-up measures 23 metres (75 ft) by 8.5 metres (28 ft), and is always clothed. 

Preparations in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace, meanwhile, begin as close to the event as possible — with every dish handmade from scratch.

The Grand Service comprises not only the dining plate itself, but also decorative items such as dessert stands and centrepieces. Numbering over 4,000 pieces, the service was commissioned by George IV.

The Grand Service includes 14 tureens, 20 sauce tureens, 140 dishes, 288 dinner plates, 118 salts, 12 ice pails, 12 mirrored plateaux, 58 dessert stands and centrepieces and 107 candelabra.

Over a thousand glasses are used at a Banquet – every guest is given six glasses. A further champagne glass for the toasts is also provided.

Each guest also receives a glass finger bowl during the fruit course, usually placed on top of a linen doily and a Tournai porcelain plate.

Meal: The event will offer a lavish menu of two mains: grilled brill with wild mushrooms, truffles and sorrel sauce or ballotine of Windsor Pheasant filled with artichokes, quince compote and port sauce

Every element of the State Banquet is inspected, checked and approved by the monarch, who will also view the table in person before retiring to get dressed.

Around 170 guests are expected, requiring 1,700 pieces of cutlery all laid out using rulers to get the precise spacing measurements correct.

The State Banquet takes place on the first night of a State Visit.

Banquets at Buckingham Palace are held in the Ballroom, around a large horseshoe-shaped table, with The King and the visiting Head of State sitting in the centre.

Since 1914 State Banquets in London have traditionally been held in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace. 

State visit: A procession leading a state carriage containing Britain’s King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa back to Buckingham Palace

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