When it is about splendour, the British do a very good job. That table at Windsor Castle is very impressive. Again and again it is a pleasure for the eye. The only careful critic (or better: a recommendation) I would dare to utter: please move away those hideous lamps with lampshades. Use real candles! Nothing beats the warm and fairylike illumination coming from hundreds of flickering candles, multiplied in brilliant reflections by the crystal glassware and the sparkling diamonds worn by the ladies.
Last week King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima received the Swedish royal couple in an equally stunning venue. They used impressive silver candelabras with real candles. To prevent dripping or leaking, each candle had a protective glass 'bulb', gliding down with the melting of the candles. It prevents candles blown out by an airwave, it is safer with that fire and it prevents dripping on the expensive damast tableware. After the table speeches, the lights in the enormous marble venue were dimmed and the hundreds of slightly moving and trembling lights from the candles did their magic...[/QUOTE]
Nice description. Arent't those candle things called bobeche? Is that a French word?
