Prince William and Kate Middleton hosted a quintessentially British affair at Buckingham Palace that could have stepped straight out of a Bridgerton scene. On Friday, May 8, the Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed thousands of guests to the palace lawn for the second garden party of the season, standing in for King Charles in the role of chief hosts.
The event featured the full complement of senior royals, including William’s cousin Zara Tindall and his uncle and aunt, Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. This garden party marked the first time both William and Kate had attended such an event together since May 2025, following Princess Kate’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, which had kept her largely out of the public eye in 2024. Their previous appearance together was shortly after King Charles’ coronation in 2023.
Guests were already enjoying mini sandwiches, tiny cakes, and refreshments as the couple entered the palace through its grand doors. The formal celebration began with William and Kate standing at attention for the national anthem. Princess Kate looked elegant in a structured white jacket paired with a polka dot skirt by Self-Portrait, complemented by a coordinating black-and-white vintage hat and earrings that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth. Prince William completed his morning suit with a classic top hat.
Around 8,000 attendees were present, representing a wide cross-section of the U.K. and international communities. Many had been recognized for their contributions to local communities or diplomatic service. Notable guests included Rhian Mannings, who founded the bereavement support organization 2wish after the loss of her son and later her husband; Sam Stables, founder of We Are Farming Minds, a mental health initiative for the agricultural community; and the “Three Flying Fish” — Air Cadets Rowan, Anna, and Harry — who became the youngest trio to complete the 3,000-mile “World’s Toughest Row” in January.
The garden party also served as a prelude to a busy week for Princess Kate. On May 13, she will travel to Reggio Emilia, Italy, for a fact-finding mission focused on early childhood education, marking her first official overseas trip since her recovery from cancer.
Earlier in the week, King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted the first garden party of the season, joined by Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh. The May 6 gathering featured umbrellas under cloudy skies, but the outdoor celebration at Buckingham Palace has long been a cherished royal tradition.
Dating back to the 1860s, garden parties at Buckingham Palace honor public service across all areas of British society. They provide an opportunity for members of the royal family to mingle with guests while enjoying tea and cake — with roughly 27,000 cups of tea poured and 20,000 slices of cake served over the course of the season. For many, the event is a rare chance to meet royalty in a relaxed, celebratory setting while being recognized for contributions to community, service, and national life.
