The Poppy Ball

The Poppy ball is being held on Remembrance Day, the 11th of November 2010, at Lancaster House, the magnificent and historic 19th Century former residence of the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland.

The evening will begin at 7:30pm with champagne and canapés, which will be served in the drawing room at the top of the Grand Staircase. Many dignitaries have enjoyed the splendid setting of the State Drawing room and the 1954 Lancaster House Treaty was signed here beneath the richly coffered ceiling.

Guests will then be invited to proceed to dinner in the Long Gallery: More than 30 metres in length, this room dominates the whole of the east side of the house. With 18 windows and a large, ornate skylight, the room is flooded with natural light. Winston Churchill gave a Coronation Banquet for the newly-crowned Queen Elizabeth II here in June 1953.  Guests will be seated on long tables “Officers’ Mess” style with a prominent member of the armed services hosting each table.

Dancing to a 18 piece military Big Band playing Swing music, will follow dinner. Dancing will take place at the foot of the grand staircase with those not dancing being able to view proceedings from the balcony surrounding the Great Hall and from the sideline with its ornate decoration and the dramatic sweep of the great staircase in a deliberate echo of Versailles.

 

All profits from the ball will be donated to The Royal British Legion to help with caring and campaigning for the serving and ex-Service community.

 

Dress Code:

Gentlemen:

White Tie or Black Tie (Sashes and medals encouraged)

Mess Dress

 

Ladies:

Long Frocks (Tiaras and Sashes encouraged)

Mess Dress

 

Catering:

The Ball is catered by Mosimann Party Services