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."
Trump hush money trial: Closing arguments, jury instructions and maybe a verdict?
Forensic psychiatrist reveals the different types of stalkers
Online reading or offline clubs? Young Chinese embrace both in digital era
Dame Judi Dench's tears as she receives Sycamore Gap tree seedling at Chelsea Flower Show
Stacey Solomon reveals she's 'giving up her showbiz career to become a stay
Dali cargo ship is finally brought back to port
Target starts price war with Walmart by slashing the cost of 5,000 popular items
Colton Herta shows speed as Honda fights back in penultimate Indy 500 practice session
Teenagers Yamal and Cubarsi included in young Spain squad for European Championship
Digital technologies restore looks of 2,200
Shohei Ohtani lost sleep after translator was accused of stealing millions of dollars from him
Israeli army says it kills over 130 militants in E. Rafah