Dining Room
Dining Room
In Emperor Franz Joseph's time this room was used mostly for small family dinners. The table is set in accordance with the protocol governing imperial court meals; even a small dinner attended only by immediate family followed strict court ceremonial. The table was always festively decked; in the middle stood gilt centrepieces decorated with flowers, fruit and sweetmeats. The emperor sat at the centre of the table; opposite him was often a guest of honour. The other guests were ranged around the table according to their degree of relationship or rank, with ladies and gentlemen being seated alternately. The guests were served at the same time as the emperor, who began to eat immediately. Since the course was considered to be over when the emperor laid down his knife and fork and the plates were then removed, the emperor was always careful not to lay down his knife and fork until everybody had finished.
