On Thursday 19 June just over 80 alumni of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and the London School of Economics gathered in glorious summeat the Golf Club Grand Ducal for their Tripartite Gala Dinner. Aperatifs were taken on the lovely terrace of the Club overlooking the golf course. Participants then went into the Dining Room for the dinner. A highlight of the evening before the dinner was served was a short but superb recital by the Duo Natalya (Natalya van der Mersch, violin and Natalya Kovalzon, piano). They performed two pieces, the first a famous and beautiful melody from Orfeo ed Eurydice by Gluck, the second a brilliantly virtuostic Gypsy Air by Pablo de Sarasate.
The Golf Club served excellent food and fine wines throughout the evening, as the participants enjoyed conversing with their neighbours. Toasts were raised to His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Luxembourg and His Majesty King Charles. The guest of honour was Her Excellency Joanne Olivier, the new British Ambassador to Luxembourg.
Many thanks to the Oxford Society, and especially its Chair, Countess Mette Ahlefeldt-Laurvig, for organising such a successful evening. It will be the Cambridge Society’s task to organise the next Tripartite Dinner in 2026. This year’s event will be a hard act to follow!
