The monograph is the first special study of the diplomatic ceremonial of the Russian Empire of the 18th century. On the basis of archival materials introduced into scientific circulation, it first examined the ceremonial reception of European and eastern "foreign ministers" of the Enlightenment, as well as the ceremonial of "internal diplomacy," that is, reception at the St. Petersburg court of representatives of peoples included in the Russian Empire. Particular attention in the book is paid to the history of the ceremonial department, everyday life and the privileges of the St. Petersburg diplomatic corps, its participation in the protocol life of the imperial court.