Charles and Camilla step in for the Queen at first Garden Party of the summer

Prince Charles and Camilla were in good spirits as they joined the Princess Royal to step in to host the Queen’s first Garden Party of the summer today – after the monarch pulled out due to mobility issues. 

The Prince of Wales, 73, was smart in a top hat and tails for the occasion at Buckingham Palace, while the Duchess of Cornwall beamed in a pretty cornflower blue coat dress.

Meanwhile Princess Anne opted for an elegant red ensemble for the outing, which she paired with a khaki green fascinator and matching umbrella.  

Despite the pouring rain in the gardens of the Palace, members of the public appeared delighted to be meeting the royal couple, who were snapped shaking hands with attendees. 

Traditionally, Her Majesty hosts three Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace, and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland, with the events having evolved into a way of recognising and rewarding public service.

However it was announced last week the monarch would will miss this year’s Buckingham Palace Garden Parties.

Prince Charles’ attendance at the event comes after he stepped in to read the Queen’s speech at the State Opening of Parliament earlier this week. 

Prince Charles and Camilla were in good spirits as they joined the Princess Royal to step in for the Queen at her first Garden Party of the summer today

Despite the pouring rain in the gardens of the Palace, members of the public appeared delighted to be meeting the royal couple, who were snapped shaking hands with attendees

Despite the pouring rain in the gardens of the Palace, members of the public appeared delighted to be meeting the royal couple, who were snapped shaking hands with attendees 

Traditionally, Her Majesty hosts three Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace, and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland, with the events having evolved into a way of recognising and rewarding public service

Traditionally, Her Majesty hosts three Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace, and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland, with the events having evolved into a way of recognising and rewarding public service

Guests at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party lined up to meet with Prince Charles, Camilla and Princess Anne, despite the pouring rain

Guests at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party lined up to meet with Prince Charles, Camilla and Princess Anne, despite the pouring rain 

The Princess Royal joined her brother Prince Charles and sister-in-law Camilla at the garden party earlier this afternoon (pictured)

The Princess Royal joined her brother Prince Charles and sister-in-law Camilla at the garden party earlier this afternoon (pictured) 

Other royals have been asked to represent the 96-year-old monarch this year because she would have had to stand for more than an hour and move down the lines greeting people.

The head of state, who has been suffering from mobility and health issues in recent months, will not be at the events which are taking place for the first time since 2019.

Speaking of the decision, which was announced last week, royal expert Angela Levin said: ‘It’s a good decision for the Queen not to attend garden parties as there would be too much standing. What a shame though.’

As for the royal Garden Parties, normally there are up to three at Buckingham Palace each summer, as well as another at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. 

The garden parties serve are an important way for the royals to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community.

The garden parties serve are an important way for the royals to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community. 

Making the most of the day! Attendees didn't let the weather put them off, and sheltered beneath umbrellas as they snacked on afternoon tea in the gardens

Making the most of the day! Attendees didn't let the weather put them off, and sheltered beneath umbrellas as they snacked on afternoon tea in the gardens and met with members of the royal family (pictured)

Making the most of the day! Attendees didn’t let the weather put them off, and sheltered beneath umbrellas as they snacked on afternoon tea in the gardens (left) and met with members of the royal family (right) 

Despite the poor weather, crowds of people lined the grass of the Buckingham Palace lawn as they desperately tried to catch a glimpse of the royals

Despite the poor weather, crowds of people lined the grass of the Buckingham Palace lawn as they desperately tried to catch a glimpse of the royals 

Attendees found shelter in the catering tents amid the downpour in London earlier this afternoon

Attendees found shelter in the catering tents amid the downpour in London earlier this afternoon 

A VERY British Garden Party! Attendees at the event today were left sheltering beneath flimsy umbrellas

A VERY British Garden Party! Attendees at the event today were left sheltering beneath flimsy umbrellas (left) and even shopping bags (right)

A VERY British Garden Party! Attendees at the event today were left sheltering beneath flimsy umbrellas (left) and even shopping bags (right) 

Despite the weather, many made the most of their big day out and snapped selfies and group shots on the grassy lawn of Buckingham Palace

Despite the weather, many made the most of their big day out and snapped selfies and group shots on the grassy lawn of Buckingham Palace 

At each Garden Party, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed

At each Garden Party, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed

For the occasion men are asked to wear morning dress or lounge suits while women are invited to wear a 'day dress, usually with hats or fascinators'

For the occasion men are asked to wear morning dress or lounge suits while women are invited to wear a ‘day dress, usually with hats or fascinators’

Many attendees desperately clung onto their fascinators as they donned colourful floral dresses for the day out at Buckingham Palace

Many attendees desperately clung onto their fascinators as they donned colourful floral dresses for the day out at Buckingham Palace 

Guests hold umbrellas to shelter from the rain whilst attending the first garden party of the season at Buckingham Palace, in London, Wednesday

Guests hold umbrellas to shelter from the rain whilst attending the first garden party of the season at Buckingham Palace, in London, Wednesday

As for the royal Garden Parties, normally there are up to three at Buckingham Palace each summer, as well as another at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh

As for the royal Garden Parties, normally there are up to three at Buckingham Palace each summer, as well as another at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh

Other royals, including Princess Anne, have been asked to represent the 96-year-old monarch this year because she would have had to stand for more than an hour and move down the lines greeting people

Princess Anne appeared delighted to be speaking with attendees today

Other royals, including Princess Anne, have been asked to represent the 96-year-old monarch this year because she would have had to stand for more than an hour and move down the lines greeting people

Feeling optimistic about the weather, Charles? The Prince of Wales could be seen lowering his umbrella during the outing today following the showers

Feeling optimistic about the weather, Charles? The Prince of Wales could be seen lowering his umbrella during the outing today following the showers 

Despite the pouring rain in London, the Prince of Wales was in good spirits as he spoke with members of the public in a line-up at the event

Despite the pouring rain in London, the Prince of Wales was in good spirits as he spoke with members of the public in a line-up at the event 

Meanwhile the Duchess of Cornwall was elegant in a cornflower blue ensemble for the outing in Buckingham Palace gardens

Meanwhile the Duchess of Cornwall was elegant in a cornflower blue ensemble for the outing in Buckingham Palace gardens, and carried a clear umbrella to shield herself from the downpour

Meanwhile the Duchess of Cornwall was elegant in a cornflower blue ensemble for the outing in Buckingham Palace gardens, and carried a clear umbrella to shield herself from the downpour 

The Duchess appeared to joke about the weather with attendees of the event earlier this afternoon, and could be seen chuckling as she chatted with members of the public

The Duchess appeared to joke about the weather with attendees of the event earlier this afternoon, and could be seen chuckling as she chatted with members of the public 

Camilla was elegant in a cornflower blue coatdress for the outing, which featured pretty white detailing across the bodice.

Camilla was elegant in a cornflower blue coatdress for the outing, which featured pretty white detailing across the bodice. She paired the outfit with a matching hat

Camilla was elegant in a cornflower blue coatdress for the outing, which featured pretty white detailing across the bodice. She paired the outfit with a matching hat 

Prince Charles appeared to crouch below Camilla's umbrella during the Garden Party earlier today as the royal couple shared a quiet word

Prince Charles appeared to crouch below Camilla’s umbrella during the Garden Party earlier today as the royal couple shared a quiet word 

Queen was ‘very proud’ to see Prince Charles and William step in at the State Opening of Parliament, royal sources say 

The Queen was ‘very proud’ to see Prince Charles and William step in at the State Opening of Parliament after she had to pull out for mobility issues.

This week the Queen was dramatically forced to pull out of the State Opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years because of her increasing mobility issues.

Prince Charles read her speech for the first time, accompanied by Prince William, who had never attended before.

Questions were inevitably asked about whether the increasingly frail 96-year-old monarch will ever be seen in the Palace of Westminster again.

Yet palace sources were quick to shut down suggestions heir Charles, 73, was acting as a prince regent, The Sun reported.

A senior source said: ‘The Queen was very proud to see her son and grandson step in.’

An emotional Prince Charles gazed at his mother’s crown before he announced 38 of Boris Johnson’s Bills for the coming year including new laws to properly punish eco hooligans, capitalise on Brexit, better regulate landlords and ensure Britons can pay their soaring bills.

Prince William and the Duchess of Cornwall flanked the Prince of Wales as he delivered the speech from the consort’s throne, used by his father Prince Philip for decades, in a major constitutional moment for the UK.

The annual Buckingham Palace garden parties, started in the 1860s by Queen Victoria, are a way of recognising and rewarding public service and see people from all walks of life enjoy high tea on the lawn to the sounds of a military band.

Every year, the Queen invites 30,000 people to attend the parties and in 2018, 8,000 guests attended the first soiree of the season. 

After the past two years saw the parties cancelled because of the pandemic, royal aides announced this morning that they would return this summer.

For the occasion men are asked to wear morning dress or lounge suits while women are invited to wear a ‘day dress, usually with hats or fascinators’. 

The three events at Buckingham Palace will take place on the next three Wednesdays of this month – May 11, 18 and 25. The Holyroodhouse party will be on June 29.

The garden parties serve are an important way for the royals to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community.

At each Garden Party, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed.

The garden party tradition was started in the 1860s by Queen Victoria, who used to call them ‘breakfasts’.

The parties will take place in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year and held for guests in recognition of their positive contributions to communities across Britain

There will also be a ‘Not Forgotten Association Annual Garden Party’ tomorrow, May 12 which will be hosted by Princess Anne who is patron of the charity.

The Not Forgotten Association provides entertainment, leisure and recreation for the serving wounded, injured or sick and for ex-service men and women with disabilities.

The Garden Party for the organisation, which will also be held at Buckingham Palace, will bring together more than 2,000 beneficiaries of all ages and from all services.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said last week: ‘Her Majesty The Queen will be represented by other Members of the Royal Family at this year’s Garden Parties, with details on attendance to be confirmed in due course.’ 

The Queen attended a service commemorating the life of her late husband the Duke of Edinburgh in March with senior royals and a congregation of hundreds.

She reached her Platinum Jubilee in February, overcame Covid after testing positive that month, and celebrated her 96th birthday privately on April 21 at Sandringham.

Last October, she spent a night in hospital and spent the following three months under doctors’ orders to only conduct light duties and missed a number of events.

The Queen has been using a walking stick in public since she attended a service marking the centenary of the Royal British Legion last October.  

Prince Charles and Camilla appeared relaxed as they arrived at the Garden Party in Buckingham Palace earlier this afternoon

Prince Charles and Camilla appeared relaxed as they arrived at the Garden Party in Buckingham Palace earlier this afternoon, before descending the steps to meet members of the public

Prince Charles and Camilla appeared relaxed as they arrived at the Garden Party in Buckingham Palace earlier this afternoon, before descending the steps to meet members of the public 

The Prince of Wales appeared to share a laugh with his sister Princess Anne as they descended down the stairs of Buckingham Palace earlier today

The Prince of Wales appeared to share a laugh with his sister Princess Anne as they descended down the stairs of Buckingham Palace earlier today 

At each Garden Party, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed (pictured, the sea of umbrellas at the event today)

At each Garden Party, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed (pictured, the sea of umbrellas at the event today) 

The parties will take place in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year and held for guests in recognition of their positive contributions to communities across Britain

The parties will take place in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year and held for guests in recognition of their positive contributions to communities across Britain

The garden parties serve are an important way for the royals to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community

The garden parties serve are an important way for the royals to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community

People from all walks of life came together to enjoy high tea on the lawn as a military band played sheltered from the rain

Attendees had the opportunity to dance as the military band played

People from all walks of life came together to enjoy high tea on the lawn as a military band played sheltered from the rain

Prince Charles appeared in good spirits as he held an umbrella to shelter from the rain while mingling with guests

Prince Charles appeared in good spirits as he held an umbrella to shelter from the rain while mingling with guests

At each Garden Party, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed as the Royal Family put out an impressive spread

Guests enjoyed canapes

At each Garden Party, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed as the Royal Family put out an impressive spread 

The Duchess of Cornwall was all smiles as she shook hands with those who had paired a 'day dress with hats or fascinators' for the annual event

The Duchess of Cornwall was all smiles as she shook hands with those who had paired a ‘day dress with hats or fascinators’ for the annual event

The Duchess of Cornwall beamed in a pretty cornflower blue coat dress alongside Prince Charles and Princess Anne

Camilla shook hands with guests

The Duchess of Cornwall beamed in a pretty cornflower blue coat dress alongside Prince Charles and Princess Anne (pictured left), before going on to speak to guests 

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