Garden Parties 2023
Published
To celebrate the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen, two Garden Parties will take place in the Buckingham Palace Garden in 2023, as well as one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
9 May 2023
The second Buckingham Palace Garden Party was hosted, on behalf of The King, by The Prince of Wales. His Royal Highness was joined by The Princess of Wales, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
8,000 guests were welcomed to the garden in recognition of their public service and charity or community work.
3 May 2023
The first of the annual Garden Parties took place on 3 May 2023. It was hosted by The King and The Queen Consort, who were accompanied by The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and The Duke of Kent.
To celebrate the Coronation and with support from Her Majesty The Queen Consort, the Royal Voluntary Service launched the Coronation Champions Awards in February 2023 to recognise exceptional volunteers from across the country. The 500 volunteers selected as the nation’s Coronation Champions were invited to attend one of the official Coronation celebrations with many being invited to a Coronation Garden Party.
About Garden Parties
Established during the reign of Queen Victoria, Garden Parties are an important way for members of the Royal Family to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community.
Throughout the country, a long established network of sponsors is used to invite guests, who include Lord-Lieutenants, Societies and Associations, Government Departments, Local Government, the Services, the Church and other Faiths. They nominate guests for invitation and we hope in this way to achieve a representative cross section of the community.
What happens at a Garden Party?
On the day of the Garden Party, the Palace gates are open from around 3pm. The Party officially begins when Members of the Royal Family enter the garden at 4pm, when the National Anthem is played by one of the two military bands present.
While the bands continue to play a selection of music, Members of the Royal Family circulate among the guests through 'lanes'. Each takes a different route and random presentations are made so that everyone has an equal chance of speaking to a Member of the Royal Family. Members of the Royal family then arrive at the Royal Tea Tent, where they meet further guests. Guests are free to eat, drink and stroll around the beautiful Palace gardens.
Related content
A message from The King to the people of Glasgow celebrating the city’s 850th anniversary.
It goes without saying that people really do make Glasgow. As one of the most diverse cities in Scotland and beyond, it is entirely fitting that the celebrations to mark this...
The King will attend commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in Poland
A message of condolence from The King following the South Korean plane crash
My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the horrific air accident at Muan, which resulted in such grievous loss of life. As the people of the Republic of Korea...
A message of condolence from The King to The President of Germany, following the recent attack in Magdeburg
We stand in solidarity with you, and our hearts and special prayers are with all our friends in Germany at this desperately difficult time.
A message of condolence from The King to the people of Vanuatu, following the recent earthquake.
I am aware, from my visit to Vanuatu and Port Vila in 2018, of the extraordinary spirit of ni-Vanuatu, which has been called upon too often in recent years with repeated...
The King's speech at the Qatar State Banquet
The United Kingdom is proud to be Qatar’s oldest friend in the Western world. We have a special bond founded on mutual respect which has stood the test of time.
The Duchess of Edinburgh attends “The Women Who Beat ISIS” travelling photo exhibition
27 November 2024
A speech by Her Majesty The Queen at a reception for winners of The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 at Buckingham Palace
Thanks to your talents, your readers are taken on amazing journeys with you across the Commonwealth, from Gambia to Grenada, from Bangladesh to Botswana, from Malta to...
The Queen is presented an Honorary Doctorate of Literature by The Princess Royal
21 November 2024
A message read by The Duchess of Edinburgh, on behalf of The King, marking the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham Bombings
Today we remember the twenty-one people who lost their lives so cruelly and all who were injured, many of them grievously. We also pay heartfelt tribute to those who rushed to...
Explore Your Archive 2024
A speech by The King at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone, Devon
It is this operational excellence, underpinned by your unique skillset and training, which will ensure that all of you, as Royal Marines, will help to perpetuate our peace and...
The King visits the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) at Lympstone, Devon
15 November 2024
King of Jordan and King of Bahrain appointed Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
A message from The King to King Felipe VI of Spain regarding the ongoing floods in Valencia.
Our special thoughts, prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with all those who have lost loved ones and livelihoods this terrible week.
His Majesty's remarks at the CHOGM dinner in Samoa
It remains a life-long aspiration to have visited all the countries of the Commonwealth
His Majesty’s speech to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on Samoa
Together, we can expand opportunities across this family of nations to build shared prosperity and truly resilient economies.
Her Majesty The Queen’s speech to the CHOGM Women’s Forum
Leaders from around the globe are willing to meet, as equals, and to have difficult, and constructive, conversations.
His Majesty’s remarks at the Community BBQ, Parramatta Park
It is no wonder, I think, that Sydney is world famous for its cuisine, whether it’s smashed avo, a pav, or a Cab Sav and that is what I hope has been on display!
The King's speech to Parliament House, Canberra
In my many visits to Australia, I have witnessed the courage and hope that have guided the nation’s long and sometimes difficult journey towards reconciliation.
His Majesty The King’s remarks to NSW Parliament House
I am delighted – and proud – to be able to return to the Parliament of New South Wales in order to celebrate the occasion of your bicentenary.
The Duchess of Edinburgh will read a bedtime story on CBeebies for World Sight Day
04 October 2024
The King's speech marking the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament
We are all, at the end of each day, united by our love of Scotland.
