Diplomacy in Action

As we have mentioned before, occasionally we reap a nice treat or two from the fact that Kathi works at the Embassy. Recently, the new American Ambassador (Robert Tuttle) presented his credentials to Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace. The presentation of credentials is a significant event in most countries and is usually accompanied by some solemnity, but in London, it is something special and, of course, surrouned by tradition.




As part of the ceremony, the Marshall of the Diplomatic Corps, presently Sir Anthony Figgis,
was driven to the embassy in a state carriage to take Ambassador and Mrs. Tuttle to Buckingham Palace. All Embassy personnel and family members were invited to gather on the front steps of the chancery to greet the Marshall upon his arrival, and then bid goodbye to the Marshall and the Ambassador and Mrs. Tuttle as they departed the Embassy for Buckingham Palace.

About an hour later, the staff was invited to return to the front of the Embassy to greet the party upon its return from Buckingham Palace.

One of the traditons associated with this ceremony is for the Ambassador, as a show of gratitude for the ride, to feed the carriage horses when they return him to the embassy. And, of course, Ambassador Tuttle did just that, using a combination of carrots and apples. The horses, presumably having enjoyed the snack, then returned to their stables with their red-coated drivers and footmen.

The top photo shows the closed carriage arrivng at the embassy. In the middle one, the now open carriage, with the Ambassor and his wife is returning to the embassy. And in the third photo the carriage is arriving in front of the embassy with Sir Anthony, and the Tuttles.

It’s frequently very interesting around here!