Article: Top tables; LORD AND LADY MONTAGU have a very special backdrop to their annual festivities - the stunning family seat at Beaulieu, in the New Forest. Here, their butler CHRIS MORLEY explains how he ensures that Christmas lunch lives up to its sumptuous surroundings.

Byline: CHRIS MORLEY

Lord and Lady Montagu are used to throwing extravagant parties, but on Christmas Day, they favour a more intimate, traditional family lunch. It is my responsibility as their butler to lay the table just as they like it. One enormous antique dining table is beautifully decorated for the adults with a separate, smaller table for the children.

Although the guests are looked after by myself and five members of staff, Lord and Lady Montagu encourage a congenial mood.

It's informal in that it's a traditional roast turkey lunch with all the trimmings.

There are usually two large turkeys and Lord Montagu will carve one, ...

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