42 Photos of the Royal Family at Garden Parties Through the Years
From 1931 to present day.
Every summer, the British monarch hosts a series of official garden parties at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland.And while one might think the parties are only for the royals' famous friends, the purpose of these celebrations is to honor public service in the community. More than 30,000 people are invited to attend the celebrations following nominations from local governments, associations, churches, and other organizations.
For the rest of us, though, garden parties are a chance to admire the royal family from afar. So grab a seat in the sun and enjoy these old and new royal garden party photos (taken both in the UK and on trips abroad), starting way back in 1931.
Princess Elizabeth, 1931
Queen Elizabeth II was a garden party veteran before her reign even started. Known as Princess Elizabeth at the time, the young royal attends an August garden party at Glamis Castle in Angus, Scotland.
The Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Elizabeth, 1952
During a royal visit to Kenya, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Elizabeth attend a February garden party at Government House in Nairobi, Kenya. Five days later, Princess Elizabeth became queen after the death of her father, King George VI.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, 1954
As part of a world tour following her coronation, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attend a January garden party at Government House in Wellington, New Zealand.
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Queen Elizabeth, 1954
Queen Elizabeth II wears a white lace dress and hat featuring black tulle and feathers to a February garden party in Sydney, Australia.
Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Philip, 1981
Just days before her July wedding to Prince Charles, Lady Diana Spencer attends her first official garden party at Buckingham Palace. Prince Philip is pictured to her left.
Diana, Princess of Wales, 1983
Diana, Princess of Wales, chats with schoolchildren at an April garden party in Australia. Diana is wearing a suit by Catherine Walker, widely known as one of her favorite designers.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana, 1983
During a visit to Canada, Prince Charles and Princess Diana attend a June garden party at Kingsmere Farm in Gatineau Hills, Ottawa.
Princess Diana, 1991
Diana shares a laugh with guests at a July garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Prince Charles and Princess Anne, 1993
The siblings attend a July garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British Monarch when in Scotland.
Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and Prince Charles, 1999
In bubblegum pink, Queen Elizabeth beams with Prince Philip (next to Prince Charles) at a July garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Queen Elizabeth, 2002
Queen Elizabeth smiles at a May garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, as part of a visit to celebrate her Golden Jubilee year.
Prince William and Prince Charles, 2002
A young Prince William and his father, Prince Charles, chat with guests at a July garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Queen Elizabeth, 2006
At a special June garden party for kids to celebrate her 80th birthday and children's literacy, Queen Elizabeth meets Postman Pat, the main character of the popular British children's TV show, at Buckingham Palace.
Queen Elizabeth, 2006
Known for her love of bright colors, Queen Elizabeth wears Kelly green to a July garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Prince Charles, 2006
Prince Charles greets Emma Bunton (a.k.a. Baby Spice from the Spice Girls) at a July garden party at Buckingham Palace celebrating celebrity ambassadors and The Princes Trust team.
Queen Elizabeth, 2007
Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney kisses the hand of Queen Elizabeth at a May party at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., during a U.S. state visit.
Prince Harry, 2010
On June a visit to Botswana, to mark the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth, Prince Harry gives a speech during a garden party at the High Commission. The visit was part of a tour of southern Africa with Prince William.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, 2012
Just over a year after marrying Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, poses with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at a May garden party at Buckingham Palace. Kate is wearing an Emilia Wickstead dress with a Jane Corbett hat, two of her favorite designers.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, 2013
The duchess perfects maternity fashion at a Buckingham Palace garden party in May. Pregnant with Prince George at the time, Kate paired a yellow Emilia Wickstead coat dress with a cream fascinator.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, 2014
Wearing a lace dress by Alexander McQueen, Kate smiles at guests at a June garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Haley Adams Raymond is a freelance writer and communications consultant. She is a pop culture lover with a particular adoration for the British royal family. After living in the UK for seven years, she now lives in the Midwest with her husband and daughter.
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