King Charles Hosts First Palace Garden Party of the Year as Prince Harry Steps Out for Invictus Event

Buckingham Palace garden parties are back – and King Charles made a surprise appearance as he hosted the first event of the season.

Charles and Queen Camilla opened the doors of their historic London residence to thousands of guests on Wednesday for the first garden party of 2024, continuing a long-standing tradition. Garden parties have been held since the 1860s as a way for the monarch to recognize members of the community for their public service. Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were also in attendance.

The garden party coincided with Prince Harry attending the anniversary of the Invictus Games at St. Paul’s in London. Earlier this week, it was revealed that Harry will not be able to meet his father Charles during his visit to the UK due to the monarch’s “full” schedule.

In the spring and summer months, the monarch traditionally hosts three garden parties at Buckingham Palace and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland, although more may be held. More than 30,000 guests each year are invited to spend an afternoon in the picturesque gardens of the royal residences.

King Charles at a garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 8, 2024.

Press Association via AP Images

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The first garden party of the season comes shortly after King Charles stepped out for his first public engagement since the palace announced on February 5 that he was undergoing cancer treatment. On April 30, King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the Macmillan Cancer Center at University Hospital London.

“I think he was really delighted to get out,” Camilla said the next day.

In addition to socializing with members of the royal family and walking around the estate, guests are treated to tea and cakes. (The royal family’s website previously stated that around 27,000 cups of tea were served and 20,000 slices of cake were eaten!)

King Charles at a garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 8, 2024.

JORDAN PETTITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

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Male garden party goers traditionally wear morning dresses or loungewear, while women wear day dresses paired with hats or fascinators. National costume and uniform can also be worn.

However, the weather isn’t guaranteed to cooperate – in fact, it’s not uncommon for members of the royal family to carry umbrellas (or “brolly”, as the Brits call it) if there’s a chance of rain. Queen Elizabeth once said that the weather “can be a bit worrying”. “Well, you better hope the sun shines like when you invite 8,000 people to tea on your lawn,” she told a teacher at the 2019 event.

King Charles (centre) and Queen Camilla (left) greet guests at a garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 8, 2024.

STEFAN ROUSSEAU/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education