The tables in the Blue Hall of the Stockholm City Hall are all set to receive the 1,300 banquet guests.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

The Banquet tables are laid with the special Nobel tableware set created for the 90th anniversary of the Nobel Prize in 1991 by three Swedish designers, Karin Björquist (Rörstrand/Gustavsberg), Gunnar Cyrén (Orrefors) and Ingrid Dessau (Klässbols Linneväveri).

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

In the kitchen, chefs prepare the starter for the evening's dinner before it is served at the Blue Hall.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

Chefs give the final touches on the starter for the evening's dinner: Lobster consommé with shellfish tartare, lobster and Kalix bleak roe.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

Laureate in Economic Sciences Elinor Ostrom arrives to the Nobel Banquet accompanied by Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine Jack W. Szostak.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

1,300 guests are seated at the Nobel Banquet at the Stockholm City Hall.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

"Like a Fairy Tale" is the theme of the 2009 Nobel menu, divertissement and floral decorations. The table of honour is decorated with roses, buttercups, lilies, carnastions and alstroemeria in different nuances.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

Nobel Laureate in Physics Willard S. Boyle in conversation with Her Majesty Queen Silvia at the Nobel Banquet.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

Laureate in Economic Sciences Oliver E. Williamson in conversation with Princess Madeleine at the Nobel Banquet.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

Seated at the table of honour at the Nobel Banquet are (from left to right): Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Thomas A. Steitz, Crown Princess Victoria and Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Venkatraman Ramakrishnan.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

The main course is served: Truffle-stuffed quail with parsley root, Brussels sprouts and port wine gravy.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

Inside the Blue Hall at the Stockholm City Hall the guests are enjoying their dinner.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

The Romeo & Juliet Choir is waiting to start their performance.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

The Romeo & Juliet Choir performs music by Claudio Monteverdi.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

More than 30 chefs and 230 servers provide the guests with the banquet meal. The more than 60 tables in the Blue Hall are covered with 470 metres of linen cloth, and the meticulous table setting comprises no fewer than 7,000 porcelain pieces, 5,000 glasses and 10,000 items of silverware.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

The dessert is served: Lemon and fresh cheese mousse with sea-buckthorn sorbet.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

Princess Madeleine, Crown Princess Victoria, Nobel Laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Mrs Vera Rosenberry Ramakrishnan, Hagith Yonath, Nobel Laureate Ada E. Yonath, His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Her Majesty Queen Silvia, Joan Argetsinger Steitz, Nobel Laureate Thomas A. Steitz, and Prince Carl Philip.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto

From left to right: Prince Carl Philip, Crown Princess Victoria, Nobel Laureates Jack W. Szostak, Carol W. Greider and Elizabeth H. Blackburn, His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Her Majesty Queen Silvia, and Princess Madeleine at the Nobel Banquet.

© The Nobel Foundation 2009. Photo: Orasisfoto