33rd Annual Blue & Gold Ball(2016), Old Royalists’ Association in the United Kingdom

The Gala Dinner Dance of The Old Royalists' Association in the U.K.

In keeping with expectations, the traditions and high standards of the previous years were matched and even bettered at this year's Old Royalists' annual Gala Dinner Dance held at the five star Hyatt Regency Churchill Hotel in London's' West End on Saturday the 9th of April.

The event was well attended by Old Royalists and their friends, many of whom were familiar faces who attend this prestigious annual event year after year. The evening commenced with a Champagne reception, followed by a beautifully presented sumptuous three course meal, painstakingly prepared, with a hint of Eastern spice by the Head Chef for the evening, Mr Frankie Fernandes.

After a captivating opening dance by the President of the Association, Mr. Rashantha De Silva and his dear lady wife, Lankendra, the floor was packed to capacity with the Old Royalists and their guests dancing to the enchanting music of the versatile band "Exceed"

The toast to the Association was made by the President followed by a toast to Royal College by Mr. Ganga Kumarasuriyar, a former President of the Association. The music and the dancing was briefly interrupted by the Grand Auction conducted by Dr. Elmo Thambapillai and the Raffle conducted by Abhaya and Srimalie Karunasekekera, both of which were hugely successful in raising funds that would enable the Association to continue their support to Royal College and its' current students in educational, sporting and welfare activities.

The dancing continued until the small hours of Sunday morning, with the "Bailas" succeeding in getting almost the entire congregation on to an overflowing dance floor bursting at its' seams. The event concluded with the traditional rendition the School song "School of our fathers" and the National Anthems of Srilanka and United Kingdom.

Photography by Praneeth Hettiarachchi

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