Perhaps one of the social highlights of the ‘season’ is to
attend the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. The Mistress and I were
delighted to receive our invitation (back in January!) and so it was with great
excitement that we donned our best bib and tucker and made our way over to Victoria
to join the other guests.
But before we did so I had a arranged a private lunch at the
Rubens Hotel, just a stone’s throw from the Palace. I was very pleased that
some 36 Masters and their Consorts joined us for a splendid lunch in the most prestigious
of venues and the restaurant staff there did us proud. Meeting in the bar at
noon we all looked very splendid in our suits and badges of office before
sitting down to a two-course lunch in the Rembrandt Suite. A very jolly occasion
with everyone very much looking forward to the afternoon ahead.
A short stroll along the Palace walls took us to the
Grosvenor Gate Entrance where our security details were thoroughly checked by
the Police. The queue was fairly short, about 20 minutes which was quick in
comparison with the main entrance on The Mall. A useful tip if ever one comes
this way again!
And then into the wonderful Palace Gardens amongst graceful
and elegant trees and planting and onwards to the Palace Lawns. This commanded
a fantastic view of the back of the Palace made doubly impressive by the
fabulous weather; not a cloud in the sky and just the right temperature.
Stunning.
Tea was served in the main Tea Tent but the real fun was the
people-watching and of course trying to sneak a glimpse of the Royal party. We
were honoured to have their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, the Duchess
of Cornwall and the Princess Royal in attendance and they did their best to
meet as many people as possible. Not an easy task but expertly guided by the Equerries
and the Yeoman of the Guard.
The bands played and the sun shone and we all had a very
good time. But soon the National Anthem was being played and we slowly trickled
out via the Main Gates and into the throng of the ever-present tourists on The
Mall. A truly memorable experience made even more special by sharing it with
friends and colleagues from the Livery. It was a privilege to be there.
Pictures show the Master and Mistress setting out for the
day, the guests awaiting the Royal Party and the three members of the Royal
Family on duty for the afternoon.
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