42 Photos of Royals at Garden Parties From 1931 to Present Day (2024)

Every summer, the British monarch hosts a series of official garden parties at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland.And while one might think the parties are only for the royals' famous friends, the purpose of these celebrations is to honor public service in the community. More than 30,000 people are invited to attend the celebrations following nominations from local governments, associations, churches, and other organizations.

For the rest of us, though, garden parties are a chance to admire the royal family from afar. So grab a seat in the sun and enjoy these old and new royal garden party photos (taken both in the UK and on trips abroad), starting way back in 1931.

Queen Elizabeth II was a garden party veteran before her reign even started. Known as Princess Elizabeth at the time, the young royal attends an August garden party at Glamis Castle in Angus, Scotland.

During a royal visit to Kenya, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Elizabeth attend a February garden party at Government House in Nairobi, Kenya. Five days later, Princess Elizabeth became queen after the death of her father, King George VI.

As part of a world tour following her coronation, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attend a January garden party at Government House in Wellington, New Zealand.

Queen Elizabeth II wears a white lace dress and hat featuring black tulle and feathers to a February garden party in Sydney, Australia.

Just days before her July wedding to Prince Charles, Lady Diana Spencer attends her first official garden party at Buckingham Palace. Prince Philip is pictured to her left.

Diana, Princess of Wales, chats with schoolchildren at an April garden party in Australia. Diana is wearing a suit by Catherine Walker, widely known as one of her favorite designers.

During a visit to Canada, Prince Charles and Princess Diana attend a June garden party at Kingsmere Farm in Gatineau Hills, Ottawa.

Diana shares a laugh with guests at a July garden party at Buckingham Palace.

The siblings attend a July garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British Monarch when in Scotland.

In bubblegum pink, Queen Elizabeth beams with Prince Philip (next to Prince Charles) at a July garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Queen Elizabeth smiles at a May garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, as part of a visit to celebrate her Golden Jubilee year.

A young Prince William and his father, Prince Charles, chat with guests at a July garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

At a special June garden party for kids to celebrate her 80th birthday and children's literacy, Queen Elizabeth meets Postman Pat, the main character of the popular British children's TV show, at Buckingham Palace.

Known for her love of bright colors, Queen Elizabeth wears Kelly green to a July garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Prince Charles greets Emma Bunton (a.k.a. Baby Spice from the Spice Girls) at a July garden party at Buckingham Palace celebrating celebrity ambassadors and The Princes Trust team.

Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney kisses the hand of Queen Elizabeth at a May party at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., during a U.S. state visit.

On June a visit to Botswana, to mark the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth, Prince Harry gives a speech during a garden party at the High Commission. The visit was part of a tour of southern Africa with Prince William.

Just over a year after marrying Prince William, Catherine, duch*ess of Cambridge, poses with Camilla, duch*ess of Cornwall, at a May garden party at Buckingham Palace. Kate is wearing an Emilia Wickstead dress with a Jane Corbett hat, two of her favorite designers.

The duch*ess perfects maternity fashion at a Buckingham Palace garden party in May. Pregnant with Prince George at the time, Kate paired a yellow Emilia Wickstead coat dress with a cream fascinator.

Wearing a lace dress by Alexander McQueen, Kate smiles at guests at a June garden party at Buckingham Palace.