A traditional event returned to the regal grounds of Buckingham Palace on May 6, 2026, as members of the British royal family hosted the season’s inaugural garden party. This occasion, particularly significant as it marked the third anniversary of King Charles’ coronation, was attended by notable royals including Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.
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The garden party, an established royal custom dating back to the 1860s, serves as an opportunity for the reigning monarch to express gratitude to individuals who have made notable contributions to society. Each year, more than 30,000 guests receive invitations to partake in various garden parties held during the spring and summer months.
Guests were welcomed to the palace grounds at 3 p.m. local time, greeted by the sounds of a military band performing the national anthem. The royal family was expected to arrive an hour later, creating an atmosphere of anticipation among attendees.
Attendees at the event were treated to an array of refreshments, including an assortment of cakes, while enjoying the splendid surroundings of the palace gardens. The event allows royals to engage directly with guests, as they circulate through designated “lanes” within the garden. According to the royal family’s website, every royal follows a different route to ensure that guests have an equal opportunity to interact with them.
The occasion maintained a formal dress code as outlined by the palace, with gentlemen expected to don morning suits or lounge attire and women typically wearing day dresses complemented with hats or fascinators. National dress and military uniforms also feature prominently at these events.
Despite the elegant setting, the weather on this particular day was less than ideal, as overcast skies prompted some guests and members of the royal family to carry umbrellas. Royal editor Rebecca English expressed disappointment about the inclement weather on social media, underscoring that such conditions have been a historical concern for garden parties. Former monarch Queen Elizabeth II once shared her own anxieties about the weather, stating, “You do rather hope the sun shines when you invite 8,000 people to have tea on your lawn.”
This garden party was not just an isolated event for the royal couple. Earlier in the month, King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a similar gathering at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., drawing over 600 attendees from both the United Kingdom and the United States. Dignitaries included British Olympian Tom Daley and Sir Christian Turner, the British ambassador to the U.S.
The palace has scheduled three more garden parties in May 2026, slated for the 8th and 12th. In addition, a garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the monarch’s official residence in Scotland, is planned for June 30. Notably, the season will also feature themed gatherings, such as The King’s Trust 50th anniversary garden party on May 14 and an annual gathering hosted by The Not Forgotten Association on May 19.
As the garden party tradition continues, it not only upholds the legacy of royal hospitality but also reinforces the monarchy’s commitment to recognising community service and public contributions in a festive and memorable setting.