Royal wedding details revealed

Details of the reception for next month's royal wedding have been revealed by staff at Buckingham Palace as the finishing touches on plans are put in place.

The Queen's head chef Mark Flanagan told Reuters his 21-strong team will be responsible for preparing dishes for 600 guests invited to the reception, which will follow Prince William's wedding to long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29.

Mr Flanagan said the food would show off the "best of British produce" but would not say what the dishes would be.

Jennifer Scott, assistant curator of paintings at the Royal Collection, told Reuters the guests will enjoy the surrounding of one of the most opulent buildings in the world.

"The 19 state rooms, which are used during state functions, drip with opulence. They really are intended to make people think 'wow, this is an incredible palace'," she said.

The wedding cake at the reception will be in the palace's picture gallery, surrounded by paintings by the likes of Canaletto, Rembrandt and Rubens.

"Whenever we have a special event at Buckingham Palace, we make sure that the greatest artworks are on display," Scott said. "When you get an idea of (the) special quality of this place, it's magical, it really oozes history."

The Deputy Master of the Household, Edward Griffiths, who is responsible for hospitality, catering and housekeeping at the palace, told Reuters he has been working on plans for the wedding since the pair announced their engagement in November.

Griffiths said the 60 staff on duty on April 29 would be well-drilled in their duties, which range from serving food to opening car doors.

"Like all receptions, people will be given a drink and served food from the moment they arrive and at the reception we will serve champagne, wine and soft drinks."

- NZ HERALD STAFF