King Charles and Queen Camilla celebrated emergency responders at the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the season on Wednesday, where the King received praise for his recent address to the United States Congress.
Garden Party Highlights
Despite overcast skies, the spirits of the 8,000 attendees remained high. Guests dressed in colourful attire, lounge suits, and national dress enjoyed tea, cakes, and sandwiches. All working royals were present except the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Yeomen of the Guard processed through the gardens in their distinctive red and gold ceremonial dress, while military bands performed wartime classics and upbeat jazz numbers.
The King appeared on the palace’s West Terrace as the national anthem played, wearing a morning suit with a pale-yellow waistcoat and a top hat, which he removed before greeting guests. The Queen opted for a pastel blue embroidered coat dress by Fiona Clare, complemented by a matching Philip Treacy hat and a moonstone and diamond brooch. The royals moved through lines of invitees, shaking hands, inquiring about their work, greeting service dogs, and directing guests towards the tea tent.
Praise for Congress Speech
During his interactions, the King received compliments for his recent speech to Congress during his US state visit. One guest told him: "I loved your speech in America. It was amazing, and it made me laugh so much." Charles responded with a laugh, saying: "Thank you very much."
Paramedic Shares Assault Story
Among the guests was Claire Swinbourne, a team leader paramedic with the North East Ambulance Service. She recounted being assaulted on Christmas Day last year while trying to help a man sitting on a roundabout. The man became distressed and physically attacked her, leaving her right arm debilitated with a loss of sensation in her fingers nearly six months later. Her assailant received a suspended prison sentence.
The King acknowledged the severity of assaults on emergency workers. Ms Swinbourne said: "He mentioned that assaults on emergency workers aren’t acceptable, and he asked how I’d overcome that and it’s about helping people." She added: "I didn’t join the service to be assaulted, I joined the service to help people, and that’s what I continue to do." Nominated by colleagues for her advocacy, she expressed her honour at being invited: "It makes me feel overwhelmed in that, ‘am I deserved of it?’, but yes, I am, and it’s about enjoying the day." She stressed the need to explain that such behaviour is unacceptable and will lead to prosecution.
Queen Engages with Charities
The Queen engaged with representatives from SafeLives, a domestic abuse charity of which she is patron. The organisation trains professionals and first responders while supporting survivors. Speaking to trustee Elizabeth Hughes, the Queen remarked that the charity is doing "such a fantastic job", adding: "I’m so pleased, because it’s really taken off and I’m very, very pleased to be a part of it."
Wednesday’s gathering was the first of three garden parties scheduled at Buckingham Palace this month to honour community servants. A fourth event will take place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in June.
