King Charles and Queen Camilla Kick Off Royal Summer with First Buckingham Palace Garden Party

From regal hats to royal handshakes, the season’s first garden party welcomed over 8,000 guests in a tradition of honoring public service, with more themed celebrations to follow across May and July.

As summer approaches, the British royal family has ushered in the season with its first grand garden party of the year at Buckingham Palace.

On May 7, King Charles III and Queen Camilla led the royal gathering, joined by Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, in a cherished tradition dating back to the 1860s. Garden parties have long been a royal gesture of gratitude, recognizing outstanding citizens for their contributions to public service and community life.

The event began with gates opening at 3 p.m., followed by the arrival of the royal family an hour later, set to the tune of the national anthem performed by a military band. Guests were treated to a quintessentially British experience — sipping tea, enjoying slices of cake, and strolling through the Palace’s famed gardens.

Royal attendees mingled with the crowd via specially designated “lanes,” ensuring many of the over 8,000 invitees had a chance to interact with a royal family member. According to Buckingham Palace, these routes are randomized to offer an equal opportunity for guest engagement.

King Charles looked elegant in a traditional morning suit and top hat, while Queen Camilla stunned in a deep teal outfit complete with a wide-brimmed hat, upholding the garden party dress code that calls for refined daytime attire. Many attendees also arrived in national dress or uniforms, reflecting the diversity of honorees.

Weather always plays a part in these celebrations — a sentiment echoed by the late Queen Elizabeth II, who once confided during a 2019 party, “When you invite 8,000 people to have tea on your lawn… it can be a bit of a worry.”

This is the first of three official King’s Garden Parties announced for the summer. The next is scheduled for May 20 at Buckingham Palace, followed by another on July 1 at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, the monarch’s official Scottish residence. That event coincides with the King’s annual “Royal Week” in Scotland.

Beyond these main gatherings, the palace also confirmed two themed garden parties:

• May 14 will feature the Education and Skills Garden Party, honoring educators and supported by the Department for Education.
• May 16, Duchess of Gloucester will host the Not Forgotten Association Annual Garden Party, honoring wounded, sick, and injured service personnel. Princess Anne supports the charity as its patron.

This garden party marks the royal family’s second public engagement of the week, following a military procession and flypast on May 5 in honor of the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Prince William and Princess Kate surprised spectators by bringing along their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — a rare full-family public appearance.