Prince William and Royal Cousins Host Garden Party in Support of Princess of Wales
As the Princess of Wales continues her treatment for cancer, publicly revealed on March 22, Prince William was joined by many of his cousins to host a garden party at Buckingham Palace today, demonstrating solidarity and support.
Princess Anne’s children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, attended the event, as did Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, daughters of the Duke and Duchess of York, Prince Andrew, and Sarah Ferguson. This meant that five of Queen Elizabeth’s eight grandchildren were present at the garden party.
Prince Harry, William’s younger brother, remains in the U.S. and is not on the friendliest terms with the Prince of Wales. The children of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Louise, and James, were absent, likely due to their youth. Louise, 20, is a student at the University of St. Andrews, and James is just 16. Zara’s husband, Mike Tindall, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were also in attendance.
William “looked dapper in a morning suit and top hat as he stepped in to host a garden party” on behalf of King Charles, reports People. Garden parties have been a tradition since the 1860s, serving as a way for the monarch to recognize community members for their public service.
Each year, over 30,000 guests are invited to these events, which proceed rain or shine. Today’s event, unfortunately, leaned toward the rainy side. Queen Elizabeth herself admitted in 2019 that the weather “can be a bit of a worry” for these outdoor events, saying, “Well, you do rather hope the sun shines as when you invite 8,000 people to have tea on your lawn.”
Tea and cake are staples of these gatherings, with People reporting that around 27,000 cups of tea and 20,000 slices of cake are typically served at garden parties.
Today’s garden party was described by People as “a rare outing highlighting the next generation of the royal family.” Zara, Beatrice, and Eugenie coordinated in pink and white attire, with Zara preparing for the wet conditions with an umbrella and clear, protective stoppers on her heels to prevent sinking into the lawn while mingling with guests.
The royals interacted with thousands of guests, including those associated with William and Kate’s patronages, military affiliations, and passion projects. These included Homewards, William’s initiative to eradicate homelessness, RAF Valley, Swim England, and tenants from Duchy of Cornwall sites.
This event showcased the younger generation of royals stepping up to fulfill their roles and continue the traditions of public service, even in challenging personal times.