The dinner took place in a tastefully decorated dining room in the west wing of Kensington Palace.
The candlelight flickered inside, casting a warm glow over the exquisite silverware and ceramics under the lights, the crackling firewood in the hearth dispelling the chill of the London night.
The deep red wallpaper set off a portrait hanging behind the main seat, a likeness of the Duke of Kent in his youth, dressed in red and blue military attire, his expression confident and determined, yet this once most talkative Prince had now become the most silent presence in the room.
At the center of the long table, the Duchess of Kent sat, with Victoria beside her, and Arthur was placed on the opposite side.
The three young ladies of the von Bloh family were seated at a farther distance, accompanied and tended to by Lady Leisen, clearly to prevent the dinner from becoming too noisy.
