Even the Queen can’t control the weather.
Luckily, the skies were clear on Tuesday asQueen Elizabethhosted agarden party at Buckingham Palace. The 93-year-old monarch even wore sunglasses (a rare look for her!) and carried an umbrella in case she was in need of some quick shade.
Queen Elizabeth.
Kate Middleton and Prince William.
Garden parties have been held at Buckingham Palace since the 1860s as a way to recognize and reward public service.
During Tuesday’s event, the Queen spoke with dance teacher Retha Girish, 48, about traditional Indian dance. “She was telling me how much she admired it, how graceful it was and how she loved the colors and the hand movements,” Girish shared.
The monarch also mingled with artist Yinka Shonibare, who recently received a CBE for services to art.
Queen Elizabeth.DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP/Getty
Kate, 37, and William, 36, also chatted with guest, including an animated conversation with Jonathan Jenkins and Lindsey Dixon from London’s Air Ambulance.
When Dixon congratulated Kate on hergarden at the Chelsea Flower Show, whichKate showed to the Queenon Monday evening, the royal mom stayed humble.
“Oh no, it was a real family affair. I couldn’t have done it without William and the children,” she said. “We were all very involved.”
Kate Middleton and Prince William.DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP/Getty
Each year,Queen Elizabethhosts up tothree garden partieson the grounds of Buckingham Palace, as well as one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland.
But for her first party of the season on May 15, the Queen asked sonPrince Charlestostep in as host– with wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and sister Princess Anne also in attendance. The monarch has been slowly handing over certain royal duties to senior members of the royal family over the past few years. She’s given several of her patronages toPrince William,Prince Harryand Kate, and Charles has begun attending many events in place of his mother. He hosted over 500 engagements in 2018 — more than William and Harry combined.
source: people.com
