Royalty Entrances Californians

Sitting about 14 feet from Queen Elizabeth II and just six from Prince Philip at the Library of Congress luncheon last week in Washington was a thrill.

A number of Californians, including First Lady Gayle Wilson, were among the 350 invited to the elegant affair co-hosted by the library and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

When Prince Philip, on a very hot and sultry day, ordered up his Samuel Adams beer, author and former Librarian of Congress Daniel Boorstin commented, “Oh, he prefers that to your wonderful California wines.” Indeed, a Mondavi Fume Blanc Reserve 1989 and a Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 1987 graced the fare, which was otherwise Jeffersonian, reflecting the fact that the library, founded in 1800, was given early distinction when Thomas Jefferson offered--and Congress acquired--his personal library.

Jefferson’s cosmopolitan pride in the foods of the New World inspired the menu: grilled turkey breast with mulberry wine nested on a compote of figs, raisins, blood oranges and spring cherries, James River wild rice pancakes, timbales of macaroni and Shenandoah Cheddar, early plantation snap peas, hot copper skillet spoon bread and the dessert-- trompe l’oeil rare books made of gingerbread with marzipan jackets.

Right after dessert, the queen was in the 160-foot-high recently renovated Main Rotunda Reading Room, entranced by the letter Queen Victoria wrote to Mary Todd Lincoln after President Lincoln was assassinated.

Angelenos included were Caroline Ahmanson and Lloyd Cotsen (both library associates), Betsy Bloomingdale, actress Angela Lansbury (who accepted BAFTA’s lifetime achievement award in film and television in America), Leo and Ginnie Chaloukian, John and Diane Cooke and Jack Valenti. Jane Fonda, in a pretty pink short suit, and escorted by Ted Turner, captured the eye of both the queen and her prince.

Also joining Librarian James Billington, BAFTA chairman Kevin and Lady Rachel Billington (James and Kevin are not related) and BAFTA’s director Tony Byrne, who sat next to Gayle Wilson, were a host of senators and congressmen, including U.S. Rep. Anthony Beilenson (D-Los Angeles) and the Ambassador from Great Britain Sir Antony Acland and Lady Jennifer Acland.

FAST FLIGHT: Georgette Mosbacher attended the White House dinner hosted by President George and Barbara Bush for the British royalty and then buzzed to Los Angeles the next morning to accept Childhelp USA’s Woman of the World Award along with Ann Blyth McNulty. About 1,200 joined in the fun at the Century Plaza.

PAST PERFECT: With courtesy accorded royalty, 900 in black-tie trooped over the red carpet for the pre-dedication gala of USC University Hospital. The hospital, cornerstone of the $150-million Richard K. Eamer Plaza, is on the USC Health Sciences campus.

Mariachis, Jefferson pewter mugs for mementos and futuristic decor launched the 275-bed teaching hospital, a collaboration between the university and National Medical Enterprises Inc. At the forefront was new USC president Steven B. Sample and his wife Kathryn; USC trustees chairman Forrest Shumway and wife Patricia, School of Medicine dean Dr. Robert Tranquada and wife Janet and Richard Eamer and his wife Eileen . . . .

Starlight, star bright for Pasadena’s Hillsides Home for Children’s “Starry, Starry Night” Saturday. Board chair Margaret Campbell and party chair Becky Garnett boasted 425 people and more than $100,000 raised with help from Henry Alfaro, Jay Howell, Sue Smock, Jess and Phyllis Marlow and Merlin and Susan Olsen . . . .

Generous philanthropist George Page chaired the Pepperdine Associates (elite donors) dinner at the Beverly Hilton Tuesday night. He was honored for his 90th birthday and the affair also toasted donor Richard K. Eamer. Pepperdine president David Davenport’s keynote address: “Heroes For Our Time” . . . .

Richard J. Riordan, who’s personally financed computer labs for needy children, got applause from 1,000 at H.E.L.P. Group’s luncheon. State Controller Gray Davis presented him the Humanitarian Award . . . .

More than 570 gathered in the Biltmore’s Crystal Ballroom to see Roy and Betty Anderson present William S. (Bill) Davila, president of Vons Companies Inc., the Humanitarian Award from the California Medical Center-Los Angeles. Davila, a first-generation Mexican-American, grew up in South-Central Los Angeles. Luncheon chair Keith Renken was getting applause for a record attendance because he resold tables when buyers called in to say they couldn’t attend. More there: John King, a former lunch chair; Biltmore executive Colgate Holes; Mayor Tom Bradley, and moderator Tom Hatten . . . .

ON THE ROAD: What a day. The Music Center’s Blue Ribbon members made their way by bus and van to Oxnard Saturday to be guests of Bettina and Otis Chandler and tour his Vintage Museum of Transportation and Wildlife. The muscle cars of the mid-’60s to early ‘70s and rare sports and racing cars of different eras were polished to perfection.

On the return, the crowd stopped at Blue Heaven, the home of Jane and Jerry Weintraub in Malibu, for a Chasen’s catered lunch.

Ribbon president Joanne Kozberg prevailed upon Chandler to speak about his love of collecting cars. In on the day: Sandy and Shel Ausman, Nadine and Ed Carson, Betty Ann Koen, Margie and Bob Petersen, Anne and Frank Johnson, Carrie and Stuart Ketchum, Nancy and Alan Livingston, Lee and Larry Ramer and Christie and Sheldon Gordon.