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Coronations Epiphany
Garden Parties
Garter Services
Investitures Maundy Services
Opening of Parliament
Royal Funerals State Visits
The Ambassadors
 Royal
Garden Parties are held during the summer, at least three times a year at
Buckingham Palace and one at the Palace of Holyrood house in Edinburgh and are
attended by 30,000 people. Royal Garden Parties have been held at Buckingham
Palace since the 1860s. In the 1950s the number of Royal Garden Parties held at
Buckingham Palace was increased from two to three a year. The extra Royal Garden
Parties took the place of presentation parties. In some years, The Queen gives
an additional Royal Garden Party to honour a large national organisation
celebrating a special anniversary, such as the Red Cross or, for example, to
mark the Year of the Disabled. In 1997 The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh
hosted a Royal Garden Party for couples sharing their Golden Wedding anniversary
(50 years) with them. In 1998, a special Royal Garden Party celebrated the 50th
anniversary of the founding of the National Health Service: the guests were
serving or past-serving members from all parts of the Health Service.
People from all sections of the community are
invited to Royal Garden Parties, usually through organisations with lists on a
prearranged quota (e.g. the Government, Armed Services, Diplomatic Corps,
charities and societies) to ensure that a representative cross-section of the
national life is invited. (For this reason individuals cannot apply for an
invitation.) Invitations to Royal Garden Parties are sent out by the
Lord
Chamberlain on behalf of The Queen, all the arrangements are planned by the Lord
Chamberlain's Office. Gentlemen wear morning dress, lounge suits or uniform;
ladies wear afternoon dress (usually with hats). National dress can also be
worn. Approximately 8,000 guests attend each Royal Garden Party, which takes
place between 4.00 pm and 6.00 pm. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh,
accompanied by other members of the Royal family, circulate among the guests
after the National Anthem has been played.
Each member takes a different route and random presentations are made so that
everyone has an equal opportunity to speak to The Queen and members of the Royal
family. During the Royal Garden Parties, two military bands take turns to play a
selection of music. The Queen and other members of the Royal family
arrive at the royal tea tent, where they meet other guests. In London, the
Diplomatic Corps has its own tea tent, and in both London and Edinburgh there
are tea tents for other guests. Tea and other refreshments are served (at a
typical garden party, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000
slices of cake are consumed), from a 408-feet long buffet. Some 400 waiting
staff is involved in the serving.
At approximately 6pm, The Queen and other members of the Royal family leave the garden,
when the National Anthem is played to mark the end of the Royal Garden Party.
Edited from the
Georgian Hotel Website - reception@georgianhousehotel.co.uk
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