GET THE PARTY STARTED
GARDEN PARTIES ARE BACK AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE AFTER THREE YEARS. MARION McMULLEN LOOKS AT HOW TO ENJOY DINING AL FRESCO IN ROYAL STYLE
1957 Dressed to impress: The Changing of the Guard entertained the first guests as they waited for the gates to open for a garden party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
1998 Put the kettle on: Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh entertained 8,000 invited guests in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
1927 A family affair. Balmoral hosted a memorable garden party with the Duke of York, King George V, the Duchess of York and Queen Mary. A baby Princess Elizabeth also attended in her pram. Balmoral has long been a popular retreat for the royal family. Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, purchased it in 1846 and decided the interior decoration should represent a Highland shooting box with tartan or thistle chintzes, and walls decorated with trophies and weapons.
1962 Room for one more? Guests from all over the country headed to Buckingham Palace for the Royal Garden Party. The events replaced the old presentation parties for debutantes and now recognise and reward public service.
1970 Make yourself at home: Prince Charles found himself the centre of attention during a visit to Canada when he attended a royal garden party at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
1980 It’s a jubilee jamboree: Queen Elizabeth attended a garden party at Holland House Hostel to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Youth Hostels Association.
1931 Golden moments: A young Princess Elizabeth joined in the golden wedding celebrations of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore with a garden party at Glamis Castle.
1912 Crowning glory: King George V and Queen Mary visited India as part of a coronation tour and were treated to a lavish garden party during the Delhi Durbar. Queen Mary wrote in her diary: “We put on our robes and crowns and showed ourselves to thousands of people stood on a balcony where the Mughal emperors formerly showed themselves.”