In this case, I think he probably did do the right thing. Why would you want to spend any more time hanging around a bunch of people that hold you in contempt.
He did the expected thing. Some might contemplate whether their mocking of the individual doesn't cause issues with upsetting the office that individual holds. Hardly diplomatic behaviour. Not good for the world.
Pathetic all around - diplomacy out of the window - embarrassing for both Johnners and the P-Royal - in being there at the reception, as Sourdeau unloaded his thoughts about the Thump - I'm not surprised he took his jumbo home early....poor Melanoma, she was hoping to go shopping in the Middle Eastern Bazaar aka 'Arrods and Harvey Knickers....
An insight to the world of leadership showing that, regardless of rank, they're all just the same as the rest of us at work, doing as little as possible and talking about anybody who's absent.