As a self-proclaimed foodie who founded her own lifestyle website, it is of little surprise Meghan Markle’s first royal project was a masterclass in party planning.
The Duchess of Sussex, 37, was joined by her mother Doria Ragland and husband Prince Harry, 34, threw a celebratory lunch to mark the release of the Grenfell Tower charity cookbook, Together, at Kensington Palace today.
While a team of royal aides would have helped with the planning, the garden party still has clear touches of Meghan’s signature laid-back California girl style.
Guests included the women of the Hubb Community Kitchen and their families, who rallied around to support each other through cooking in the wake of the tragedy.
Their recipes, collated in the new cookbook, were served to diners on long wooden trestle tables set up in a marquee in the grounds of Kensington Palace.
Here, a closer look at exactly what went into creating the Instagram-friendly aesthetic – from bright British blooms to coloured glass candle holders and handwritten-style menus..
Laid-back lunch: Guests dined beneath a marquee set up in the grounds of Kensington Palace. Seasonal, brightly-coloured flowers were displayed in an eclectic collection of vases
Personal touch? A team of royal aides would have helped with the planning, the garden party still has hints of the Duchess of Sussex’s signature laid-back California girl style
THE FLOWERS
Before she met Prince Harry, Meghan was the proud owner of lifestyle website The Tig, named after one of her favourite wines.
It was described as ‘a hub for the discerning palate’ and specialised in style, food, and travel.
Flowers proved a popular topic on the website – and played a key role in creating the relaxed and welcoming event today.
Marianne Johnson, owner Sweet Pea Floral Atelier in London, noted the vases were filled with a ‘lovely selection of seasonal flowers, possibly British’, adding, ‘there’s a mix of dahlia, little blue bee delphiniums, garden roses flowering mint’.
Bright and beautiful: Marianne Johnson, owner Sweet Pea Floral Atelier, noted the vases were filled with a ‘lovely selection of seasonal flowers,’ including dahlia, little blue bee delphiniums, garden roses. The florist added short glasses like the ones above facilitated conversation
The florist added that the choice of vase facilitated conversation at such a community-focused event.
‘These little eclectic vases work so well,’ she continued. ‘Guests can see over them and they can easily be moved to accommodate glassware, sharing platters [and other tableware].
‘The lovely colours and unstructured displays help create a relaxed, intimate feel for the event. This kind of display is one of our most popular looks.’
THE VENUE
Intimate: Set in the grounds of Kensington Palace, just a stone’s throw from Harry and Meghan’s own cottage, guests dined beneath a marquee. Pictured, the Duchess of Sussex with her mother, Doria Ragland and her husband the Duke of Sussex at the event today
Set in the grounds of Kensington Palace, just a stone’s throw from Harry and Meghan’s own cottage, guests dined beneath a marquee.
The roof of the draped structure appeared to be printed with a navy blue royal insignia, although it was difficult to identify.
The festive flavour continued with the candy-cane striped poles which kept the marquee erect.
At least one royal commentator drew comparisons between the marquee and the Great British Bake Off tent.
THE TABLE
Informal: Guests were seated on long, wooden trestle style tables set up in a banqueting style along the length of the marquee. Simple wooden chairs completed the paired back aesthetic
Guests were seated on long, wooden trestle style tables set up in a banqueting style along the length of the marquee.
Marianne of Sweet Pea Floral Atelier noted: ‘There’s a big trend towards more informal dining on long tables.’
The pared back feel continued with the seating, with wooden chairs only slightly dressed up with simple white tie cushions.
The overall effect was as though guests were dining at a garden party.
THE MENU
On each white plate there was a long, narrow menu printed in a handwritten style font
On each white plate there was a long, narrow menu printed in a handwritten style font.
The dishes all came from the new cookbook and are personal favourites of the women involved in the Hubb Community Kitchen.
Highlights included a coconut chicken curry, aubergine masala and a range of chapatis and sharing dips.
For desserts guests enjoyed caramelised plum upside-down cake, sweet puff pastries and Russian Semolina cake.
The food was washed down with Mint Tea and Ginger tea.