A Royal Tea Party
Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II, hosts a series of garden parties each year at Buckingham Palace in London for distinguished guests and members of the public from Commonwealth countries. Rita Payne, UK chair of the Commonwealth Journalists Association, was among the guests at one such party on 22 June 2010
It was a perfect summer's day in London. Fellow guests agreed we could not think of a better way to spend a few hours as we basked in the sunshine, strolled in a beautiful tree-studded garden listening to brass bands, and tucked into exquisitely delicate sandwiches and cakes. We were at a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Every summer, the Queen hosts at least three garden parties at Buckingham Palace as well as one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. Approximately 8,000 people from all walks of life attend each event. On the day we were there, diplomats in a dazzling array of national dress, bishops and other senior members of the clergy resplendent in fuschia and scarlet robes, servicemen in full military uniform, politicians and a sprinkling of famous personalities mingled with people who worked for the civil service, charities and a vast range of other public organisations, including schools, hospitals and community societies. The former British Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, was one of the recognisable faces among the guests.
The government and organisations such as the Civil Service, Armed Services, Diplomatic Corps, charities and societies, all have quotas for nominations. The system is designed to ensure that a representative cross-section of the community is invited and that guests are generally people who have made a significant contribution to their various organisations or society.
The Queen gives permission for additional garden parties to be held to honour large national organisations celebrating a special event, such as the Territorial Army’s 100th anniversary, the centenary of the British Red Cross's Royal Charter, or the Lambeth Conference. These are often attended by the Queen herself or another member of the Royal Family.
In 1997 The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh hosted a garden party for couples sharing their Golden Wedding anniversary with them. In 2002 special garden parties held at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse included parties for individuals born on 6 February 1952, the day of the Queen’s accession.
The tradition of garden parties at Buckingham Palace dates back to the 1860s, when Queen Victoria instituted what were known as 'breakfasts' (though they took place in the afternoon). In the 1950s the number of garden parties held at Buckingham Palace was increased from two to three a year. They took the place of presentation parties attended by debutantes but have evolved into a way of rewarding and recognising public service.
Even those among us who were not ardent royalists could not fail to be impressed both by the pageantry and the relaxed informality of the garden party we attended. After the Queen and her entourage had disappeared back into the Palace, guests in their summer finery sprawled out on the lawns chatting and absorbing the atmosphere before making tracks for home taking with them memories of a slice of British history.