The Duchess of Cambridge led various members of The Royal Family on Wednesday at the third Buckingham Palace garden party of 2022. The Duchess was joined by The Earl and Countess of Wessex as well as Princess Alexandra.
It was announced last month that Her Majesty The Queen would not be attending any of this years garden parties at Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Holyroodhouse due to her ongoing mobility issues. The Queen missed the State Opening of Parliament last week however she was well enough to attend the Platinum Jubilee celebration at the Royal Windsor Horse Show as well as open the new Elizabeth Line in London.
On Wednesday, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Earl and Countess of Wessex and Princess Alexandra stood in for Her Majesty at the latest Buckingham Palace soiree.
The Buckingham Palace garden parties began way back in the 1860s during the reign of Queen Victoria. They are a way of recognising and rewarding public service. Each year, around 30,000 people attend the parties while at each one, 27,000 cups of tea are served as well as 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake.
The Duchess of Cambridge opted for an Emilia Wickstead coral dress paired with pink point toe pumps and hat in a matching shade. The Countess of Wessex stunned in a white dress with a pink and purple floral pattern teamed with a white hat and neutral shoes. Princess Alexandra stepped out in a soft shade of pink.
2022 marks the return of garden parties after a three year break. In 2020 and 2021, no garden parties went ahead due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Duchess of Cambridge was not joined by her husband, The Duke of Cambridge, as he was unveiling a Submariners memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.