Page 90 - Belgrave Diaries 1945_Neat

1945

Last day of holidays. Did nothing much all day, drove round about in the evening, to the Palace to see about
illuminations. In the evening a big party at the Agency, very well done Arab & European, in the garden.
Before & after dinner we sat below the house on what is left of the lawn & then dined on the other lawn, an
excellent meal. The Commodore rather opstreptious. Got sat between YK & Sh Abdulla the former
discussed how he nearly committed suicide & all about his dreams. Sh A was quite amusing. Mrs Leigh
rather pushing. After dinner went up for a drink. Altogether a very pleasant party.

Tuesday 15th May

Office. Parade at the fort, the first for some days. At the Palace most of the afternoon seeing to the
arrangements for the party. It all looked very nice. Leigh did the lighting very well & made it much neater
than in Bill Steele's time, though it probably cost more. The party was a great success, first HH & Shs M &
A. stood on the platform below the steps & shook hands with each of the 400 men. Navy, Army, RAF, USA,
Indians & Levies, it seemed an unending procession, some said "pleased to meet you" "how do Shaikh" &
various other remarks, all looked gratified, then a long pause as it took such a time to get all the 79 dishes of
rice & meat served up. HH & the Shs sat in the centre & the others spread about, the cloth, on matting,
spread from wall to wall right across the Palace enclosure. Some seemed to enjoy the food some didnt fancy
it but all enjoyed it as a party. After dinner HH went inside & crowds of people walked about the Palace &