Sun and smiles at Palace party
Prince Harry and the Cambridges welcome youngsters who have lost parents in military service
The Duchess of Cambridge revealed her sense of fun by launching a water balloon in a catapult as she helped host a tea party in a sunny Buckingham Palace garden for the children of those who have died while serving in the Armed Forces
IN THE words of Prince Harry, Buckingham Palace “had not seen this much fun, ever”.
With water balloons, facepainting, cupcakes and the RAF Falcons parachuting on to the palace lawns, who would argue?
The gardens of Buckingham Palace were yesterday transformed into every child’s dream playground, as the Royal family threw open their home to entertain children who have lost a parent in military service for their country.
Some 850 young people were invited to join the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry for the Party at the Palace.
Entertainers included the ventriloquist Nina Conti, singer Jess Glynne and Britain’s Got Talent- winning magician L/Cpl Richard Jones.
Children took part in activities including cupcake decorating, chocolate making, science experiments, and arts and crafts.
The adventurous among them were taught how to beatbox and breakdance, while the palace lawn was given over to mass participation games.
Balloon-makers were on hand to craft colourful crowns for children, while a facepainter decorated them with sparkling designs.
Guards in front of the palace were reported to have welcomed the children by playing Let It Go, the popular song from Disney film Frozen.
The Duchess, wearing the same cream Chloe dress she wore during a children’s party in Canada last year, got into the spirit of things early, by launching a water balloon in a catapult from the steps of the palace. In a grand finale, children were left openmouthed as they watched the RAF Falcons display team parachuting over the roof of the palace and into the gardens.
Speaking from a stage, Prince Harry told children: “We’re here to celebrate you. We’re here to remind you that we as a family, and as a nation will never, ever forget the sacrifices that all of you here have made.
“We wanted to give you an opportunity to know that you are part of, sadly, a very large group of fantastic people. The three of us, and all of our family, wanted to thank you so, so much for everything you’ve done.
“I can assure you that Buckingham Palace gardens have not seen this much fun, ever.”
Among the children who bonded with Prince Harry was Jack Rigby, six, the son of Fusilier Lee Rigby who was murdered in 2013 by Islamic extremists outside the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, south London.
Jack’s mother, Rebecca Rigby, 34, said: “It means so much that the royals put this event on and are showing us their support. It’s so important for Jack and all the other children here to know they are not forgotten – that they’ve not gone through all of this to be forgotten, that they’ve got their support.”
The Prince also played at “platespinning” with George Hinchcliffe, three, who had dressed as his favourite superhero Spider-Man for the party.
George’s father, Capt Richard Hinchfliffe, who served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, died in an accident as a civilian in 2015 shortly after leaving the RAMC.
Four charitable organisations – Child Bereavement UK, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, Winston’s Wish and SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity – were present to provide information on services or support for children who needed it.