Royal Garden Parties
Every year His Majesty The King gives Royal Garden Parties and welcomes many guests to spend a relaxed afternoon in the beautiful gardens of Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Holyroodhouse. At each Garden Party, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed! Garden Parties are an important way for The King to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community.
In Bedfordshire anyone can nominate guests for invitation from a cross section of the community to receive an invitation and the Lieutenancy office coordinates this process. It is not possible to acquire invitations to The King's Garden Parties through direct application to Buckingham Palace.
If you feel that someone in Bedfordshire has made a major contribution to life in the community, or has provided exceptional service in any other way, you could recommend that they are invited to this special event. To nominate someone for a garden party invitation, please contact the Lieutenancy office here. They will send you a link to a nomination form to gather the individual's details including title, name, address, contact number and, most importantly, a detailed description of why you consider that the person you are nominating is deserving of an invitation. To qualify they must not have attended a Royal Garden Party before and must reside in Bedfordshire. Below is a brief description of who might qualify to be put forward to a Royal Garden Party.
Although you can nominate someone at any time throughout the year, the cut off is December 31st for May or June of the following year. If your nomination is unsuccessful you may resubmit at any time.
If you have been invited to a Royal Garden Party and would like some guidance on what to expect and what to wear, take a look at the Royal Website where you can find out more.
Royal Garden Party Nominations – Guidance
For a Royal Garden Party, the ideal nominee is someone who has given exceptional service to their community, profession, or a charitable cause, often over many years, and whose contribution has made a genuine difference to the lives of others.
A Garden Party invitation is not generally intended as a reward for someone simply doing their paid job well. Instead, it is an opportunity to recognise those who have gone above and beyond what might normally be expected, often with little public recognition.
Typical examples of suitable nominees
A nominee might be someone who:
- Has devoted many years to voluntary service.
- Has founded or led a community initiative that has had a significant local impact.
- Has supported vulnerable people, often quietly and without seeking recognition.
- Has made a substantial contribution to education, youth work, faith communities, sport, culture, heritage, or public service.
- Has shown outstanding commitment to charitable fundraising or community cohesion.
- Has served in organisations such as the Cadet Forces, Scouts, Guides, St John Ambulance, RNLI, Royal British Legion, community groups, or local charities.
- Has provided exceptional support during times of crisis or hardship within their community.
Qualities they should demonstrate
The strongest nominees often display:
Commitment
Long-term dedication rather than a one-off achievement.
Selflessness
Putting the interests of others ahead of their own.
Humility
Serving without seeking praise or recognition.
Leadership
Inspiring others and bringing people together.
Reliability
Being someone upon whom an organisation or community can consistently depend.
Impact
Making a tangible difference to individuals, organisations, or the wider community.
Integrity
Being respected and trusted by those who know them.