It happened in the 156ft long Picture Gallery which had been recarpeted at great expense two days earlier. The footman was wheeling the trolley of hot drinks across it when one of the wheels fell off and the drinks scattered.

An insider said: "It took three days to lay the carpet and it had only been down for two days when the accident happened. No one could believe it. They had a spare section of carpet which officials thought would cover unforeseen accidents in the future - not in the same week it was laid. They've had to use it all up at one go."

The part-time footman had been sent to take tea and coffee to a staff meeting being held in the Picture Gallery. The insider added: "It tipped over and everything fell off - tea, coffee and china. They spent a week in the gallery trying to remove the stain."

A Buckingham Palace official said: "It left a large stain at one end. Professional cleaners were called in after staff efforts failed but to no avail."

Serve them right for being so posh... what's wrong with lino?

Her Maj really liked that bit of carpet...

The original was here