The Princess of Wales made her first appearance at a Buckingham Palace garden party in two years on Tuesday, joined by Prince William and a host of royal relatives including Zara Tindall. Kate Middleton, 43, stunned in a butter yellow Emilia Wickstead dress and a Philip Treacy hat, marking her return to the traditional summer event after missing last year's gatherings due to her cancer treatment.
William hosted the party on behalf of his father, King Charles, with Kate's attendance kept unannounced as per royal tradition. The couple were accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as non-working royals Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall. Kensington Palace confirmed that the Prince and Princess had specifically invited the younger generation of the Royal Family to join them.
During the event, William and Kate met guests from their patronages, military affiliations, and passion projects, including Homewards, Action for Children, and Ty Hafan children's hospice. They also spoke with the family of Liz Hatton, a teenager who met the couple last year before tragically dying of cancer. Liz's mother Vicky, stepfather Aaron, and younger brother Mateo have since established a charity called Capture in her honour.
Other notable attendees included Holocaust survivor Steven Frank, who was photographed by Kate in 2020, and ten-year-old Tony Hudgell, a double amputee who missed last year's garden party due to traffic and was invited again this year. Around 7,500 guests mingled in the spring sunshine, with the royal family standing on the West Terrace for the National Anthem.
The garden party tradition dates back to the 1860s, when Queen Victoria started what were known as 'breakfasts', despite being held in the afternoon. Each party sees around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches, and 20,000 slices of cake consumed, with Yeomen of the Guard in ceremonial attire and a military band providing entertainment.
