State visit from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia: October 30 - November 2, 2007

[susan alicia]

I know but I would not be surprised if in their hospitality within the palace, behind closed doors, they gave their guests wine and I googled it and the answer is not very clear:


Google Answers: Alcohol consumption in Saudi Arabia

Originally Posted by Skydragon

What cheapskates to only serve Bolli!

Alcohol is a forbidden substance, possession is punishable by imprisonment and/or corporal punishment

[srivishnu]

Originally Posted by susan alicia

How did you know? I could not find it on internet. Am glad that all the guests were respected in their wishes.
Wonder if when invited to SA they do serve alcohol to the guests who do drink and wish to do so.

Here is the link to news where the menu is mentioned > Saudi King jeered as controversial visit begins - Times Online

SA is an orthodox Sunni Muslim country and do not serve nor consume alcoholic beverages.

[susan alicia]

thank you

this is from the link I posted:

Nevertheless, according to an article by BBC News, February 8, 2001,
some alcohol can be found in Saudi Arabia. It can be found among
foreigners who live in special quarters. A favoured route seems to be
for alcohol to be brought into the country in diplomatic bags which
are not checked at entry. Obviously, there is also ordinary smuggling
of alcohol as well as illicit manufacture, despite the severe
penalties.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_1160000/1160846.stm
An article in the Christian Science Monitor, May 10 2001,
http://www.csmonitor.com/durable/2001/05/10/fp7s2-csm.shtml
says "150,000 cases of spirits, most of it Scotch whisky, are smuggled
into the country every year, with resulting profits of $200 million.
Industry experts believe that 70 percent is consumed by Saudis and the
rest by expatriates... ...80 percent of the smuggled alcohol comes
from the United Arab Emirates. Another 18 percent arrives by the tiny
Persian Gulf island of Bahrain, via the causeway linking it to Saudi
Arabia." A bottle of whisky (Johnnie Walker Black Label) can fetch
$200. Expatriates making bootleg alcohol claim to earn $3000 per week.
This same article does mention that it is permitted to serve alcohol
on the premises of foreign embassies. Presumably, this is because of
the universal convention that embassy premises are considered to be
under the jurisdiction of that country rather than the host country.

Originally Posted by srivishnu

Here is the link to news where the menu mentioned > Saudi King jeered as controversial visit begins - Times Online

SA is an orthodox Sunni Muslim country and do not serve nor consume alcoholic beverages.

[Skydragon]

The article appears to be saying that alcohol is smuggled into the country and sold on the Black Market, the same way drugs are sold illegally in most European countries. The also suspect that diplomats smuggle some in for private consumption, if a diplomat were to be caught, he would be ordered out.

Some Europeans working in SA do chance drinking alcohol in private and sometimes with Saudi's they know very well. I also think that many Saudis do it, in private or with like minded friends. When we were out there and dined with Saudi friends, we were not offered any alcoholic drinks - it is possible to have a great time without it.

Back to your question though, I think because of the strict laws, no alcoholic beveridges would be offered at an official function.

[RoyalProtocol]

Originally Posted by PrincessofEurope

are there any pics from the return banquet what was the queen wearing

There was no return Banquet. There have been a few visits in recent years with no return banquets on incoming state visit which is unfortunate. The visitor has dinner with the City of London at Guildhall which HM does not attend. I think this is because some of these visits are shorter than they were previously.

[angela]

According to some sources alcohol is consumed liberally among the Saudi Royals and their rich counterparts and their abstinance when they come to western countries is just a show. Personally I can well believe this.

[PR Princess]

Originally Posted by milla Ca

Camilla becomes the royal dazzler at controversial banquet

Camilla becomes the royal dazzler at controversial banquet | the Daily Mail
_________

Its great that she has now been acknowledge, I guess their taking baby steps. She should have had the royal family order, since she is now part of the family. Here are some info about this honor...

Royal Family Order - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[CasiraghiTrio]

Updated Getty Galleries: 31 October 2007

Clarence House reception for the King (meeting with The Prince of Wales) (2)

The Guildhall Reception attended by The Duke of York (6)

Downing Street meeting between the King and Prime Minister Brown (47)