Mission London: A Mini Handbook of Diplomatic Practice

the copies practically provides the Ambassador with the de facto

full authority to represent the sending state: “Because a new head

of mission has entered fully on his functions by presenting to the

FCO, on his arrival, the working copies of his credentials, his call

on the Queen to present the credentials themselves is in the nature

of a symbolic last act of the arrival procedure rather than (as

in many other countries) an essential first act.” (Feltham, 1994,

25)

For H.E. Ambassador Dimitrov and his staff the day of presentation

of credentials was, however, a highly important act. But

it also confirmed that the ceremony is purely symbolical and

does not have much of practical influence, as already quoted

above. The fact that he took part at huge international conference

in London before presenting credentials, with his Prime Minister

as a head of delegation proved the above explained.

However, “Today was a big day.” (Popov, 2014, 103) Of course:

“The ceremony of the Presentation of the Letters of Accreditation.

(…) Now Varadin incarnated the National ideal.” (ibid) Diplomatic

rules and practice tell that a certain number of diplomats

are allowed to accompany the Ambassador at the ceremony. For

them this presents a highly ceremonial and important insight

into heights of diplomatic life. But also a highly valuable opportunity

to make contacts in high offices. Contacts provide diplomacy.

In spite of everything H.E. Dimitrov did not allow anybody to

accompany him: “There was no longer any doubt that they had

been cut out of the ceremony, like an unwanted and embarrassing

appendix.” (Popov, 2014, 105) The open carriage took their boss

to the Buckingham Palace. When he was back after two hours,

the Military Attaché, who was deeply disappointed and ashamed

that even he was not allowed to accompany H.E. to the ceremony,

noted the difference: “The instant he saw the Ambassador, Stanoicho

said to himself: This is no longer the same man!” (Popov,

2014, 107) The reception that followed to celebrate the respected

event, was chatty and colourfuly mixed: “In the grand hall (of

the Embassy – M.J.) , there were some twenty people gathered,

chatting casually, glasses in hands – Foreign Offices clerks, diplomats

from former allied states, representatives of the Bulgarian

community and a few strange birds who had flown in somehow

or other.” (Ibid.) Such reception is called “Vin d’honour” and is

an usual event organized immediately after the presentation for

a smaller, carefully selected group of invitees (Veljić, 2008, 141).

Diplomats and ambassadors in particular, have to use each occasion

to deepen friendly relations between the two concerned

countries. For this