Yesterday I had the huge pleasure of accompanying my Mum to a garden party hosted by HM The Queen at Buckingham Palace.
I know, me!
Fortunately the current hot spell was just on the wane and, although dry and mostly sunny, it wasn't the intense humid heat of the previous ten days or so, which is just as well when wearing a suit and tie and stiff leather shoes!
From Charing Cross station, we shared a taxi with a mother and daughter originally from Edinburgh; the journey was somewhat tortuous as many roads around the Palace were closed ahead of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations there this coming weekend.
We entered the Palace grounds via the Hyde Park Corner Gate opposite the Wellington Arch, making our way along dusty stone paths past trees and shrubs from around the world with small plaques giving their name, genus and place of origin. Many people were already stolling leisurely about, most smiling either to themselves or to others as they passed.
When it became clear that it was okay to walk on the grass (!) we left the path and, soon to our right, we passed a tennis court, complete with wire fencing, and wondered how much use that gets and from whom.
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| Our first view of the Palace from our luxury seating! |
Not long after we emerged onto the main lawn itself and got out first view of the rear of the Palace in the near distance. Right along the far edge of the lawn was an enormous gazebo acting as the main tea tent; two more, one for the Royal Family and guests and another for diplomats (or, as the sign read, the "Corps Diplomatique") were placed along the edge of the lake facing the Palace.
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| The Royal Tea Tent |
To start with, for about 20 minutes or so, we sat on perfectly conventional green plastic garden chairs (just like the ones at home in the shed, except ours have cushions!) and watched the people going by. Many men in morning or tail coats, lots of military uniforms, clerical robes of various hues and denominations, examples of exotic dress from Africa, Asia, Arabia, but also plenty of "ordinary people like us" in regular suits and "best wear".
Then we went over to the tea tent and, after a short while queueing at one of many serving stations, we emerged with a small, white, rectangular plate complete with in-built cup-holder, having chosen from a range of sandwiches (de-crusted, naturally), cakes and other fancies, plus either tea, fruit juice or - genius - iced coffee.
After this we made our way over to the Royal Tea tent and stood near the rope as the cordon for the Royal party formed/was formed - we never saw how (but more on that later...). It became clear we wouldn't be anywhere near that route but, since we had a virtually unobstructed view of the Royal and Diplomatic tea tents, we contented ourseolves with our position as the crush of people around us intensified.
At four minutes past four - yes, late - the National Anthem was played and I could just make out the figure of HM The Queen on the steps at the rear entrance to the Palace. It was a fair while later that she finally emerged and headed for her refreshments. In this time, a number of people had gone in ahead of her; we spotted Archbishop John Sentamu, the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres and MP Eric Pickles.
A while later we decided that we'd seen as much as we would here and moved back to the tea tent for more refreshments.
Then I thought it would be an idea to go back across the main lawn and we somehow managed to get caught-up in the formation of the cordon for the departure of the Royal party from their tea tent. We were right at the front this time and, in due course, almost the entire Royal family walked slowly past us almost within touching-distance; HM The Queen and Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla, The Duchess of Cambridge (but not Prince William, who was away on military duty), Prince Edward and The Duchess of Wessex, The Duke and Duchess of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and a small retinue of Ladies-in-Waiting and other staff. Shortly afterwards, at six o'clock, the National Anthem was played again to signal the departure of the Royal party and the end of the occasion.
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| Lining the route of the Royal party's departure |
This unexpected treat topped-off an already enthralling, if at times slightly surreal day. I know Mum enjoyed herself and I certainly did. I even managed to take a few crafty photos to prove we weren't either dreaming or deluded! I'm so glad to have been able to see the Monarch at such close quarters, especially in this of all years!
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| An ordinary man in an extraordinary place! |
