Preparations take months. No detail is overlooked, for this is perhaps the most evolved form of diplomacy: the state dinner.
As first lady Jill Biden prepared Wednesday to host her fifth state dinner, for Japan's leader, she made sure that every aesthetic detail — the crystal on the tables, the food on the White House china, the decor in the State Dining Room, the music and the fashion — dripped with diplomatic significance. This dinner, she said in her preview of the event, would make frequent reference to Washington's famous cherry trees, a gift from Japan more than a century ago.
"As guests sit among the field of flowers, glass and silk butterflies from both our countries will dance over the tables, their graceful flight a reminder that as our nations navigate the winds of change, we do so together as partners in peace and prosperity," she said.
The White House Historical Association laid out the high stakes, saying a state dinner "showcases global power and influence and sets the tone for the continuation of dialogue between the president and the visiting head of state."
Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf is spotted on the streets of Gavin and Stacey's hometown Barry
3rd Ice Cube Curling Invitational kicks off at National Aquatics Center
Yamamoto pitches six scoreless innings and Pages hits a 2
Yamamoto pitches six scoreless innings and Pages hits a 2
Lynn Williams breaks NWSL goal
Digital platform unveiled to boost Beijing's cultural, sports sectors
4 dead, 10 missing in Guangdong rainstorm
Liaoning beat Xinjiang in CBA top
Mohammad Mokhber: Who is Iran’s acting president?
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene vows to force a vote next week on ousting House Speaker Mike Johnson
Kate Hudson hits the stage to debut songs from her new album Glorious at star
British police officer pleads guilty to terror charges for showing support for Hamas on WhatsApp