New York Social Diary Friends of Versaille

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge
On another note, historical/cultural, you may have seen the American Friends of Versailles’ New York schedule which we published here last week. It was a fantastic five days of luncheons, lectures, tours of private houses and collections, cocktail receptions, dinners, and finally a Grand Ball which took place at the Metropolitan Club.
David Rockefeller surrounded by Baron Roland de l’Espee, Patsy Callahan, Le Vicomte Olivier de Rohan, Juan Pablo Molyneux, and Chateau de Versailles President Catherine Pégard at Saturday’s lunch at the Playhouse at Kykuit hosted by Steve and Kimberley Rockefeller.

Among the fetes was a cocktail dinatoire hosted by Elizabeth Segerstrom at her Fifth Avenue apartment. We were unable to attend but Sharon Hoge got there, had a camera and raved  about it – the food, but mainly the entire production. This is her account, camera and in words:

American Friends of Versailles from around the globe assembled in New York this week for five days of events in support of their project to restore the ceiling of Marie Antoinette’s Queen’s Guards Room in her suite of rooms in the Chateau.
French Consul General Bertrand Lortholary, American Friends of Versailles Presidente Baron Roland del’Espee, American Friends of Versailles founders Catharine Hamilton and Le Vicomte Olivier de Rohan, and Catherine Pegard at the reception for the American Friends of Versailles.
French Ambassador Gerard Araud addresses the American Friends of Versailles with Catharine Hamilton.
After a reception at the French Consulate where they were greeted by the French Ambassador and Consul and by the President of the Chateau, they adjourned for a cocktail dinatoire at the home of Elizabeth Segerstrom where they were treated to caviar, lobster, and creme brulee served among cascades of white orchids and tulips.  A model of Versailles molded of chocolate was a dessert centerpiece.
A liveried footman with champagne greeted guests at dinner following the reception at the French Consulate. Guests entered a hallway filed with candle lit lanterns and blossoms.
Lanterns lit up the entry hall.
White asparagus, lobster tails, and foie gras creme brulee were served at the buffet.
Orchids and tulips cascaded over the buffet table. All the rooms were decorated with cascades of orchids and tulips.
Dinner hostess Elizabeth Segerstrom and American Friends of Versailles co-founder le Vicomte Olivier de Rohan. Princesse Beatrice Bourbon des Deux Siciles and Michele Fouan.
Hostess Elizabeth Segerstrom, Marjorie Vickers, and Bonnie Deutsch.
A string trio performed for guests.
Mini swan cream puffs in the dessert buffet.
The Chateau de Versailles was modeled in chocolate.
Guests were given lily of the valley bouquets to take home.
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