The Duchess of Cambridge
accompanied by The Earl and Countess of Wessex and Princess Alexandra led the
2nd Garden party of the year at Buckingham Palace. The Garden Parties at the
Palace are one of the staple events of the Royal calendar.
The Pandemic had its impact
and the garden parties were canceled in 2020 and 2021. But this year they are
back to celebrate the communities. The garden parties were instituted by Queen
Victoria in the 1860s when they were known as ‘breakfasts’, despite taking
place in the afternoon. Historically, Garden Parties took the place of
presentation parties attended by debutantes, and have evolved into a way of
recognizing and rewarding public service. An oil painting of Queen Victoria and
Alexandra, Princess of Wales at a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Over 30,000 guests spend a
relaxed summer afternoon in the beautiful gardens of Buckingham Palace or the
Palace of Holyroodhouse during the Garden party. Garden Parties are an
important way for The Queen and the Royal Family to speak to a broad range of
people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their
community.
Due to mobility issues, the
96-years old Queen decided not to attend this year’s parties. She is being
represented by the members of the Royal family at each party. In addition to
three Buckingham Palace parties in May and the traditional Palace of
Holyroodhouse event in late June, The Queen granted special permission for the
Not Forgotten Association garden party to be hosted by Princess Anne at
Buckingham Palace this year.
The Duchess, The Earl and
Countess, and The Princess spent more than an hour meeting people from all
walks of life and thanking them for their services. The garden is decorated in
a special clockwise route called ‘lanes’ through which Royals walk around and
try to meet as many people as possible. The Duchess met with the
representatives of many of her patronages like the Foundling Museum, Royal
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Forward Trust.
For the party, The Duchess of Cambridge chose a pretty pink shade. The
Duchess was wearing a pink Emilia Wickstead coat dress.
