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The State Dining Room
The State Dining Room (or Blue Dining Room as it is sometimes called) adjoins the State Drawing Room and is used for entertaining both officially and privately.
The State Dining Room
Visitors to the Palace, including The Queen, the Dalai Llama, senior Church leaders and prominent political figures from all over the world, have been entertained here. In addition, bishops and their wives are invited to dinner here on the eve of their consecration.
The magnificent oil (on wood) painting over the fireplace is thought to have arrived at Lambeth with Cardinal Pole, but the artist is not known. It is entitled 'The Four Doctors of the Church' and shows St Jerome (with a lion), Pope Gregory, Ambrose and Augustine. The dove at the top bears faint slash marks, thought to have originated from a Parliamentarian sword.
The State Dining Room overlooks the garden and is connected to the State Drawing Room by a set of double doors.
The portraits on either side of the windows are of two Syrian orthodox bishops who visited during the late 19th century. On seeing them Queen Victoria is said to have sent money for Bibles to be printed in foreign languages.
The dining table (which extends to seat 12) is made of mahogany and rosewood.