This year the table of honour in the Blue Hall was adorned with flowers. Approximately 10,000 flowers were arranged, including roses, carnations, lilies and calla lilies.

© The Nobel Foundation 2007. Photo: Hans Mehlin

More than 10,000 flowers were donated by the city of Sanremo to decorate the Stockholm City Hall. For the eighth consecutive year, Gunnar Kaj was in charge of the floral decorations.

© The Nobel Foundation 2007. Photo: Hans Mehlin

The more than 60 tables await the guests. The tables are set with Nobel tableware created by Swedish designers. They are covered with more than 470 metres of linen cloth. The menu will be revealed only when all guests have been seated at their tables at 7.00 p.m.

© The Nobel Foundation 2007. Photo: Hans Mehlin

Florists prepare the floral decorations, with the help of some 20 students from the florist training programme in Upplands-Bro, Sweden.

© The Nobel Foundation 2007. Photo: Hans Mehlin

Preparations for the Nobel Banquet in the kitchen of the Stockholm City Hall. The menu is served to about 1,250 guests.

© The Nobel Foundation 2007. Photo: Hans Mehlin

The first course has been prepared: lobster aspic with dill-baked halibut and Kalix bleak roe.

© The Nobel Foundation 2007. Photo: Hans Mehlin

Albert Fert and Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria at the top of the stairs, descending into the Blue Hall of the Stockholm City Hall to the Nobel Banquet, on 10 December 2007.

© The Nobel Foundation 2007. Photo: Stig-Göran Nilsson

Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden conversing with Dr Marcus Storch, Chairman of the Nobel Foundation. To her right is Nobel Laureate in Physics Albert Fert.

© The Nobel Foundation 2007. Photo: Stig-Göran Nilsson

Oliver Smithies conversing with Dr Ylwa Westerberg at the Nobel Banquet on 10 December 2007.

© The Nobel Foundation 2007. Photo: Stig-Göran Nilsson

Peter Grünberg conversing with Princess Madeleine of Sweden at the Nobel Banquet on 10 December 2007.

© The Nobel Foundation 2007. Photo: Stig-Göran Nilsson

At the children's table everyone was in high spirits.

© The Nobel Foundation 2007. Photo: Stig-Göran Nilsson

From left to right: His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Mrs Marie Jose Fert, Her Majesty Queen Silvia and Albert Fert at the Nobel Banquet on 10 December 2007.

© The Nobel Foundation 2007. Photo: Stig-Göran Nilsson

Peter Grünberg and his wife Helma Birge Grünberg with the Royal Swedish siblings. From left to right: Crown Princess Victoria, Princess Madeleine and Prince Carl Philip. Photo taken at the Nobel Banquet on 10 December 2007.

© The Nobel Foundation 2007. Photo: Stig-Göran Nilsson

Her Majesty Queen Silvia and Physics Nobel Laureate Peter Grünberg at the Nobel Banquet.

© The Nobel Foundation 2007. Photo: Stig-Göran Nilsson

Their Majesties Queen Silvia and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden with Oliver Smithies and his wife, Professor Nobuyo Maeda at the Nobel Banquet.

© The Nobel Foundation 2007. Photo: Stig-Göran Nilsson