Let's get the waiters in place
And National Army security too
The Gamelan group, who felt very honoured
to be invited to perform for the Prince. They
are stationed on the first level, so that the
gamelan music will gently float down to the
party below.
Security check at the main gate
British agents checking the interior
The guests begin to come in
Nyonya heading for secret entrance
Kapitan Cina Ch'ng Keng Kwee
was duly informed of Royal guests
at his Mansion.
Unbeknown to everyone, their royal highnesses are not arriving nor entering from the front main gate. British media, press and cameramen are all staking out at the temple courtyard.
Shhhhh!!!
So are we!
I suggested to Jade to stage a little drama
- while their Royal Highnesses are greeted
up front at the ornate iron gates,
the Museum Director and Curator
will compose herself standing quite still,
right in the middle of the stairs.
Since the photographers are confined to the courtyard,
this is the first photo of the Royal Couple upon arrival.
Their Royal Highness prepare to cross over the threshold of the second doorway. In ancient China, this second doorway is reserved for the Emperor, Magistrate and Mandarin. After almost two centuries, these doors are fulfilling the roles for which they have been set up. Finally, a Prince has arrived, to step through these double doors! What a momentous occasion! Perhaps the first ever royalty to use these doors for the purpose they were set out for, in 1896! And I am beside myself, and Royalty, witnessing this significant and extraordinary occasion!
I am also assigned as fashion analyst. If Her Royal Highness is wearing an evening gown, I am to guide her through the side doorway. But news has it that she is wearing pants, so it is fine to help her through the doorsill of the secondary door.
British News
The Prince marvelling at the frescos on the walls
when these were pointed out to him.
Guided them to the Atrium where they meet
and are introduced to the Chief Minister and
Tuan Yang Terutama, Governor of Penang.
The Chief Minister, second Chief Minister of Penang, and the Mayor of Penang welcome Their Royal Highness 
Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh gets to be the first guest introduced to their Royal Highnesses
Their Royal Highnesses were introduced to Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh. This Royal Cocktail Reception is very special to me, as Prince Charles specifically chose to invite, and engage, with people from the Penang and Malaysian arts and culture scene.
Alena, Sape musician, stands in the middle
of the the sky well and sings native Sarawakian song,
accompanied by the melodic tune of the Sape.
Encounters with the secret Secret Service. . .
Unnamed gentlemen with the red poppy on his lapel. I promptly told him I know he has a hidden surveillance camera and microphone hidden in that poppy, an undercover spy item. Unlike the ones I met earlier, this gentleman owned up to it. Soon he had Nyonya and Bibik waving, saying 'hello' and smiling at the poppy on his lapel.
Checking with Tom, who denies being in the Secret Service. But his role is so secret, I still have not had an answer about his work. Top secret!
Tom, I suspect, is checking Nyonya for hidden weapons. He keeps looking over my chignon, where I have carefully arranged five diamond studded gold spears, my chiam ma cucuk sanggol.
Quick thinking on my feet in my kasot manek, hatching an escape plan . . .
Oh, Haha! Let's get distracted with these Scottish ironworks and fleur de lis on the balustrade . . . from Great Britain! . . . (Seems like he isn't buying the tale)
Miss J discussing the 'gentleman' who gatecrashed this royal party. He threatened to throw a royal tantrum if he is not allowed in. "Yeah, we've seen some", the team assured me. So for the rest of the night, they monitored his movements, cleverly commandeering the royal host away whenever he made his way towards them.
Alena, Sape musician, Lillian Tong, and Alison of China House.
Nyonya with Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh and her sister-in-law
Puan Betty Chew, the Chief Minister's wife,
joined us for a little chat
Hahaha Harith Iskandar!
And his wife.
Puan Sri Irene Yeap
Artistes, singers, architects, authors, heritage and conservation specialists, actors, musicians, producers, dancers, cultural experts, arts and culture specialists made up the guest list.
That's astonishing! Unbelievable! Incredible!
Sending the Royal couple off
Bidding goodnight to the Chief Minister
