How to host a garden party fit for the Royal Family

As the British Summertime is underway and garden party season is in full swing, inviting your family and friends around to relax in the garden is a wonderful way to catch-up with those who mean the most to you.

And, whilst you’re out enjoying the sunshine, so are the British Royal Family. In fact, over the year, more than 30,000 invitations are sent out and the invitees will arrive at the Royal gates to spend an afternoon in the beautiful gardens of Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

There are around 3 Royal Garden Parties hosted between the months of May and July each year. Traditionally, a Garden Party is hosted for the ‘Not Forgotten Association’, a charity dedicated to War Veterans. But in the past years, a second, or even third Garden party has been held for other themes. In 2025, King Charles will host The Education and Skills Garden Party and the Not Forgotten Association Garden Party.

The first official garden party was hosted by Queen Victoria during her reign, in 1868. The event was held at Buckingham Palace in the garden, which was present with elite members of London society, as well as other individuals from the British Empire who had connections to the court of St. James’. The guests ate sandwiches and desserts, drank tea and were entertained by live music.

Here's an Oil Painting by Frederick Sargent of The Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, 20 June 1887 to show you how the party might have looked!

Since then, the Royal family has enjoyed inviting guests to the palace gates and enjoying their time in the sun. It wasn’t until post-WWII that the parties became more democratic with King George VI inviting members of the Armed Forces, and then Queen Elizabeth is said to have modernised them even further under her reign by inviting people of the public.

In 1997, Queen Elizabeth hosted a Garden party with invitees of couples celebrating their Golden wedding anniversary to coincide with her and Prince Phillips’ 50^th wedding anniversary. Then, in 2002, Her Royal Majesty sent invitations to people born on 6^th February 1952 (the day of her concession) to celebrate her Golden Jubilee.

Invites became something that were put forward by the British Government, Armed Forces, Charities and other departments. These prestigious events went from a social event for the elite, to everyday people representing their cause.

Garden Parties became a symbol of celebration, whether that was for the sun shining, a community event with the church, or even raising money for a good cause. They get people together, create connections and get everyone enjoying the outdoors.

If you have a garden party planned, here are 5 tips for throwing the perfect garden party, from themes to floral finishes, you’ll find everything you need.

But if you’re still in the planning stage and want something a little fancier to really ‘wow’ your guests, here are 5 ways to host a garden party fit for the Royal Family,

1. Decide on a dress code

When attending the Royal Garden Party, a dress code is put in place to maintain formality and uphold tradition. These codes ensure a consistent and respectful atmosphere, and a uniformity amongst the guests. The Gentlemen are expected to wear a Morning Dress or Lounge suit, whereas the women should wear a Day Dress, usually with a hat or fascinator. National Dress and Uniform for members of the Armed Forces is also accepted.

Of course, if you’re hosting in your own garden, a dress code isn’t necessary! But if it’s for a special occasion or a theme, it could be fun to ask your guests to dress up.

2. Ensure your garden looks spectacular

One of the main attractions of the Royal Garden Party is the beauty of the gardens. Buckingham Palace has invited people to its private 39-acres for over 200 years, today the gardens boast 325 wild-plant species, over 1000 trees, and 20-25 species of birds. The place of Holyroodhouse has been inspired by its 900 years of history, with plants seen in the 15^th and 17^th centuries.

Create your own history in your own garden. Plant new flowers, mow the lawn and pull out those unwanted weeds.

3. Prepare the food and drink

At the Royal Garden Party, guests are free to enjoy the food and cups of tea provided. At one party, hosted by King George V and Queen Mary, over 15,000 cups of tea, 9,000 strawberry tarts and 7,000 sandwiches were consumed!

If an Afternoon Tea is what you’re wanting, we have plenty of Afternoon Tea ideas for a Garden Party to be proud of.

If the weather is blazing, you could also opt for a barbeque, with burgers, chicken and our very own recipe of Homemade Fizzy Lemonade.

4. Decorate the Garden

String fairy lights across the fence or trees, put up bunting and decorate a table with a runner, flowers and your best China (if your kids or grandkids are little, your best China might be better off as plastic or paper). Serve your food and drink on wooden boards on the table and add finishing touches with patterned napkins and candles. Place blankets and cushions on the floor as picnic areas or set up seating around the table.

Even as early as 1897 the Royal Garden Parties had tents in place for shade or to protect guests from the unpredictable British weather. Put up a gazebo or sheets to keep your guests cool (or dry from the rain).

5. Entertainment

The palace gates open to guests at 3 but the party doesn’t officially begin until the Members of the Royal Family enter the garden at 4. At this point, two military bands will begin playing live music (with the National Anthem played as the Royal Family enters).

Live music might be a little impractical for your garden party, but music will always be welcomed! Bring out your speaker and play your favourite songs, you could even share a playlist out beforehand and have your guests add their own tunes.

Not something you’ll find at the Royal Garden Party, but adding in some games is a good way of keeping the children entertained. Enjoy some old-school favourites, including egg and spoon races, hide-and-seek, or cricket and rounders.

Don’t forget to send out your invitations, either by text or wax-sealed envelope. Include the date and time you expect your guests to arrive, where your ‘Royal’ Garden Party will take place, what the guests should wear and what they can expect from the day.

Check out our other summer blogs, including Top 10 activities to do with the family over on the Lifestyle Page of our Feel Good Hub.