Buckingham Palace backyard events all through historical past

The Buckingham Palace garden party is one of the most prestigious invitations of the season. 

Established by Queen Victoria in the 1860s as twice-yearly ‘breakfasts’ presenting debutantes into society, the afternoon events took full advantage of the nation’s new-found obsession with tea-drinking. 

Today, the sovereign hosts two summer garden parties at Buckingham Palace and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland.

Some 30,000 esteemed revelers, chosen on the basis of their charity work or positive impact on the local community, are invited to each event.

They are said to consume 20,000 slices of cake, 20,000 sandwiches and 27,000 cups of tea, all while showcasing their finest attire.

This year’s garden parties celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth.

On Wednesday, King Charles made a graceful appearance at the first event at Buckingham Palace, following his return to public duties as he continues receiving treatment for cancer.

The occasions usually pass without any unwelcome moments, but in 2016, Queen Elizabeth II was overheard saying that aides involved in the state visit of China‘s Xi Jinping the previous year had been ‘very rude’ to the British Ambassador.  

Historically, the garden events took the place of presentation parties attended by debutantes, and have evolved into a way of recognising and rewarding public service.

Guests, including lord-lieutenants, societies and associations, government departments, local government, the services, the Church and other faiths, are invited by an established network of sponsors.

This process is intended to achieve a representative cross section of the community, allowing the Royal Family to speak to people from all walks of life.

Queen Elizabeth, then a princess, attended her first garden party in 1937 at the age of 11. 

She was pictured walking hand-in-hand through the gardens with her mother – the future Queen Mother – and father King George VI.  

Joining Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and his wife Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, the young princess wore a frilly white frock and matching hat as royal fans watched on in adoration.

Following her engagement in July 1947, the future Queen attended her first garden party with her beloved soon-to-be husband Prince Philip, then Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten.

Seven years later, Her Majesty was to host her first party as monarch, accompanied by the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret and the Duke of Edinburgh.

She met Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand mountaineer and philanthropist who, alongside Nepalese mountaineer Sherpa Tenzing, became the first climber to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

However, it was later on in her reign that Her Majesty began to make her mark on the royal parties, creating personal and inventive ways of selecting members of the public to meet.

At one of the events in 1997, Queen Elizabeth chose to invite only couples celebrating their golden wedding anniversary to coincide with her 50 years of marriage with Prince Philip.

In 2002, one of the garden parties was attended only by invitees who were born on the February 6th, 1952 – the Queen’s accession day – to celebrate her Golden Jubilee.

While adhering to the strict dress code, gentlemen are permitted to wear morning dress or lounge suits, whereas women are expected to choose day dress, with a hat or fascinator. National dress and uniform are also commonly worn.

Despite typically embodying elegance and decorum, even the Queen made a rare slip-up in royal protocol with her comments about Chinese aides. 

She was speaking to Met Police Commander Lucy D’Orsi, who ran security for the state visit of China’s President Xi Jinping the previous year.

When she was told of Ms D’Orsi’s role working closely with the Chinese delegation, she responded: ‘Oh, bad luck,’ before saying they were ‘very rude’ to the British Ambassador to China, Barbara Woodward.

The filmed conversation also revealed the Queen called the delegation’s actions ‘extraordinary’ and that she was aware of the Chinese group’s ‘testing’ behaviour.

Commander D’Orsi said this included one incident when officials stormed out of Lancaster House, close to Buckingham Palace, threatening to call off the trip.

A report on BBC World broadcast in the country was ‘blacked out’ by Chinese censors overnight.

In 2006, Queen Elizabeth marked her 80th birthday with a Buckingham Palace garden party celebrating children’s literature.

Children across the country were invited to apply for an invitation to the ultimate social event. 

Several million applied, but just 1,000 names were picked from regional ballots.

Postman Pat, Paddington Bear, Noddy, the Snowman, Mary Poppins and other storybook favourites were snapped alongside the Queen, who appeared to be in high spirits.

Following the late monarch’s death, the first garden party of 2023 was hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The couple were accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.

Meanwhile, the second event was hosted by the Prince of Wales on behalf of the King. 

His Royal Highness was joined by the Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. 

The unbreakable bond between Catherine and Sophie was evident as they showcased carefully coordinated ensembles adorned with ruffles and bows. 

On the day of a palace party, the royal gates open at 3pm. 

It officially starts when members of the Royal Family enter the garden at 4pm and the National Anthem is played by one of the two military bands present.

As the bands continue to play a selection of music, the royals circulate among the guests, before arriving at the Royal Tea Tent, where they meet further attendees.

Yeomen of the Guard, dressed in their red and gold ceremonial costumes, form part of the proceedings, and guests are free to stroll around the vast garden.