Buckingham Palace rolled out the green carpet on Friday as the Prince and Princess of Wales kicked off their first garden party of the season. Prince William’s cousin Zara Tindall as well as his uncle and aunt, Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, were also in attendance.
White decorative planters with pink blossoms framed the palace entrance where Kate and William arrived. They hosted around 8,000 guests who were treated to tea and cakes while mingling across the palace’s sprawling lawn. Surrounded by stately trees and shrubbery, the Yeomen of the Guard and a military band also dialed up the pomp.
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Kate and William arrived with Edward and Sophie following closely behind.
Buckingham Palace’s gardens, which hold the title of London’s largest private backyard, have been the backdrop for royal garden parties since the 1860s—a tradition that recognizes community leaders and public servants. While the decor is more understated compared to royal banquets, the events are known for elegant arrangements, seasonal refreshments, and the Royal Tea Tent.
According to the Greater London Lieutenancy’s website, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches, and 20,000 slices of cake are served at each party throughout the season. The 39-acre palace gardens are also home to spring’s greatest hits: mulberry trees, tulips, and daffodils, some of which helped decorate King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s state banquet at Windsor Castle in April.
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During the party, Kate chatted with several guests in formal daywear, including colorful hats and fascinators.
Friday’s festivities followed the first palace garden party earlier this week, hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla during the King’s coronation anniversary celebrations. Coming up on the royal calendar: Kate’s solo trip to Reggio Emilia, Italy, where she’ll shine a spotlight on early childhood development, marking her first overseas tour since her cancer diagnosis.
“The Princess is very much looking forward to visiting Italy next week and seeing first-hand how the Reggio Emilia approach creates environments where nature and loving human relationships come together to support children’s development,” a Kensington Palace spokesperson said in a statement.
Brea Cubit is an award-winning journalist who covers culture, entertainment, fashion, business, and more. When she’s not writing and editing, she enjoys listening to live music, binge-watching nostalgic TV, and shopping at artisan markets.