Trinkets and Tea for Alexandra

A specially commissioned enamel box from Tiffany. A presidential suite. Silver service for tea.

These are a few of the things that await Princess Alexandra’s arrival Tuesday to attend the Festival of Britain, a countywide celebration beginning Friday that has at its heart the promotion of South Coast Plaza.

After her arrival at LAX, the princess and her entourage will travel by motorcade to the Westin South Coast Plaza where she will receive floral bouquets from the three daughters of hotel general manager Michael Deighton.

Later, Alexandra--first cousin to Queen Elizabeth II--will be whisked to the hotel’s presidential suite where she will be met by elegant flower arrangements, a bowl heaped with whole fruit, h1701978214ge County’s most famous rock shop.

The exact time of her arrival in Los Angeles is privileged information, insiders explain, because of the crisis in the Persian Gulf. Safety first, for one of Jolly Old’s most popular royals. Alexandra’s whirlwind six-day tour marks the first time a member of the British Royal Family will have enjoyed an extended stay in Orange County.

Preparations have been thorough for the 53-year-old’s visit. Her private secretary inspected the Westin in early September, carefully exploring its rooms to ensure the comfort of the princess and her retinue, says Deighton (formerly of the Westin St. Francis hotel in San Francisco, site of a 1983 visit by Queen Elizabeth II).

“Her private secretary conducted a reconnaissance tour,” Deighton says. It was decided that the mauve-toned presidential suite, with its formal living and dining rooms and two spacious bedrooms would be the perfect spot. Her entourage will occupy the entire 15th and 16th executive floors of the 390-room hotel.

Locals who will rendezvous with the princess at a flurry of glittering parties have been boning up on royal protocol.

What do you say to a princess? Nothing at first, says Christopher Toyne, a founding board member of the Los Angeles chapter of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. You don’t even extend your hand. “You allow her to proffer her hand and to initiate the conversation.”

The reason? Consider, for example, that you had met the princess once before, and, upon seeing her again, you blurted out: “Hi! Remember me? We met in ‘83!” No. No. No, Toyne says. There’s a good chance she won’t have the foggiest. Royals meet hundreds of people annually. And your remarks would put her at a disadvantage. So, to eliminate any possible embarrassment, you allow her to proffer her hand and begin the conversation.

Rule No. 2, Toyne says, is that you address the princess by “Your Royal Highness, first, and then ma’am--as in Spam,” the rest of the time.

Rule No. 3: No bowing for gentlemen or curtsying for women. “In England, there are strict rules about that,” Toyne says. “Gentlemen bow. Ladies curtsy, wear a hat, and usually gloves.

“But here, Princess Alexandra is a guest of Orange County. There are no such rules. But there are certain courtesies, that, if afforded, are appreciated. A slight bow of the head is nice.”

During her tour, the princess will have tea with Festival of Britain committee members, flip a switch that will release hundreds of balloons over South Coast Plaza and don a raincoat (at Burberrys) identical to the one used in the movie “Dick Tracy,” hypes a media schedule released by the British Consulate in Los Angeles.

On Friday, Alexandra will attend “A Royal Gala Evening” for 600 guests at the Westin that will honor actor Michael Caine. Roger Moore will host. Entertainment will be provided by Dudley Moore and Patti Austin (“Alfie” from Caine’s movie by the same name will be among her selections). At the affair, Alexandra will present Caine--who is coming from London--with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts/L.A.’s coveted Britannia Award.

On the menu for the black-tie bash: smoked duck breast, filet of salmon and grilled medallion of beef, Pear William potatoes, and a chocolate seashell filled with raspberry mousse and berries. Decor? An elegant “beefeater” theme, executed in red, white and navy blue flowers by the Ruffled Tulip in Tustin.

Also confirmed to attend the affair: a bevy of British higher-ups including British Consul General Reginald Holloway (co-chairman with Henry Segerstrom of the Festival of Britain) and actress Jane Seymour, super-agent Swifty Lazar, and author Jackie Collins. (Tidbit: Caine plans to bus his bosom-Brits to Orange County from Los Angeles. This will be no ordinary bus, promises “Royal Gala” producer Pattie Ballon Zimmerman. “This will be a chartered celebrity coach, living room style.” Caine will attend the gala with his beautiful wife, Shakira, and spend the night at the Westin.

On Oct. 15, after a tour of the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton, the princess departs for Los Angeles for a brief visit. She returns to England on Oct. 17.

Tea with Mary Poppins: While Julie Andrews--one of England’s family of celebrity royals--will not attend the gala Friday, she will be on hand Saturday at Edwards Town Center in Costa Mesa to preside over a tea party that will precede a screening of “Mary Poppins,” part of the British and the Oscar Film Festival being staged in conjunction with the Festival of Britain.

This party is a hot ticket. Tea will be served, of course, as will be Pimms No. 1, an alcoholic mainstay of England’s toniest sporting clubs. “It must be taken with a leaf of mint,” says Toyne, an expert on such matters.

Guests at the tea, which will be staged under a tent, will include Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, the songwriting brothers who won two Academy Awards--Best Song: “Chim, Chim, Cher-ee”and Best Score for “Mary Poppins”--and Sir John and Lady Mills (the author Mary Hayley Bell, mother of actress Hayley Mills.) Also on the guest list: Hugh Hudson, director of “Chariots of Fire,” and Ben Cross, the film’s star.

“Julie is appearing at the tea strictly for the academy,” Toyne notes, “not for the Festival of Britain.”

A specially commissioned enamel box from Tiffany. A presidential suite. Silver service for tea.