Garden party season has officially arrived, and Prince William and Kate Middleton helped revive the long-running royal tradition over the weekend.
On Friday (8 May), the Prince and Princess of Wales hosted an elegant gathering at Buckingham Palace on behalf of King Charles III, only a few days after the monarch and Queen Camilla led the season’s opening celebration.
William and Kate were joined by several senior royals while hosting the event, including Zara Tindall, Prince Edward, and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
Kate appeared effortlessly elegant in a cream-and-black Self-Portrait outfit featuring a structured blazer-inspired bodice and a flowing polka-dot skirt. She completed the look with a dramatic black-and-cream straw hat.
William matched the occasion in traditional formalwear, wearing a black tailcoat, gray waistcoat, rose-toned tie, gray striped trousers, and a classic black top hat.
According to the Royal Family’s official website, garden parties are designed as “an important way to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life,” particularly those who have made meaningful contributions within their communities.
Every year, more than 30,000 guests are invited to spend a summer afternoon in the gardens of Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Originally, royal garden parties replaced the old presentation events attended by debutantes. Over time, they evolved into a tradition focused on recognizing public service and community achievement.
Invitations are selected through a long-established sponsorship system involving Lord-Lieutenants, government departments, local councils, associations, religious organizations, and military services. The aim is to create a guest list that reflects a broad cross-section of society.
The tradition itself dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria in the 1860s.
The very first royal garden party took place on 22 June 1868. In her journal, Queen Victoria reportedly described the day as “splendid, and not too hot,” while admitting she found it “puzzling and bewildering” trying to recognize the huge crowds gathered across the lawn.
That single event launched a royal custom that has now lasted over 165 years.
Even today, guests still follow the formal dress expectations tied to the occasion. Men typically wear morning suits or lounge suits, while women attend in elegant dresses paired with hats or fascinators.
This year’s celebration was just as grand behind the scenes too. Reports suggest around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches, and another 20,000 slices of cake are usually prepared across the season’s events.
During the latest gathering, William and Kate spent time greeting guests connected to their charities, military affiliations, and initiatives such as Homewards, along with residents linked to Duchy of Cornwall projects.
Attendees chatted with the royals, shook hands, snapped photos, and even posed beside them throughout the afternoon.
The event also marked only the second time William and Kate have personally led a Buckingham Palace garden party, with their previous appearance coming in 2025 after a nearly two-year gap.
That return followed Kate’s announcement earlier in 2025 that she had completed chemotherapy after receiving a cancer diagnosis the previous year.
