white tie

He stands at 6ft2in, has a stocky build and grey hair and was last seen wearing a long black trench coat, grey trousers and waistcoat, blue shirt, brown shoes and a red and white tie.

It was taken ahead of the annual "white tie and tiaras" reception for diplomats held at the palace.

Speaking about the ball in 2001, Sir Elton said: "Yes, he came in white tie, and he came straight from a private jet. Yes, I don't think he'd wear white tie otherwise."

Asked to confirm that Mr. Spacey had arrived by private jet, Mr. John said he supposed that was the case because he did not think anyone wore white tie on a commercial flight.

At Eton College — the boarding school in the British countryside that has educated princes and 20 prime ministers — students wear tailcoats and white ties to classes.