The highest dining table in the Faceted Chamber

A traditional gala dinner was held in the throne room of the ancient Faceted Chamber. The invited - members of the State Council, the higher clergy and persons of the first two classes took their places at the table, facing their majesties. On the throne under a canopy a dining table was prepared for three envelopes: for the emperor - in the middle, for the Dowager Empress Alexandra Feodorovna - on the right, for Empress Maria Alexandrovna on the left side of His Majesty. Behind the thrones stood the assistants of their Majesties and the first members of the court, and on the right and left sides of the table were obershenki. Below, on the sides of the throne, there are four cavalry officers with naked broadswords, and at the front corners of the last step of the throne there are two heralds, opposite the throne are the high marshal, the chief marshal, the supreme master of ceremonies and the chief marshal, and behind them are the chief masters of ceremonies and the masters of ceremony ...