WITH THE PRINCE AND THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH THE PRINCESS OF WALES LEADS THE TRUE BLUE ‘SLIMMED-DOWN MONARCHY’ AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE
REPORT: TRACY SCHAVERIEN
Pictures of regal elegance, the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh continued their support of the King and Queen last week and teamed up in shades of blue to host a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Joined by their husbands the Prince and the Duke – as well as fellow members of the “slimmed-down” monarchy, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester – the two women spent the afternoon mingling with 8,000 members of the public, who enjoyed tea and sandwiches on the palace’s manicured lawns.
Kate, 41, recycled a blue embroidered tulle skirt and matching blouse from Elie Saab with a Philip Treacy hat that she had worn to Royal Ascot in 2019.
Sophie, 58, similarly went for a dress she had worn to Ascot, stepping out in a lace ruffled midi by Suzannah teamed with nude Prada pumps and blue clutch bag.
FLORAL TRIBUTE
Also matching, Princes William, 40, and Edward, 59, wore top hats and tails – although in a touching tribute to his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, William appeared to be wearing a tiny bunch of her favourite flowers – forget-me-nots – in his buttonhole.
Guests at the party, a celebration of “people who do extraordinary things”, included members of the Welsh and Irish Guards who had taken part in the coronation and have the Prince and the Princess as their respective Colonels.
William chatted with the soldiers who had endured rainy conditions on the day.
“Everyone was wringing out their uniforms,” he said.
“It was really good to see so many people from the army, navy and air force involved. I was so proud of everyone.”
The Princess added: “Well, well done. Honestly, we were all so proud.”
There was also some friendly teasing over Kate’s new role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Irish Guards – a position William held until a reshuffle in December.
“Don’t be too upset,” he told Regimental Sergeant Major Peter Swain. “Your new Colonel is really excited. I’m trying to teach her a bit about the structures.”
Kate also chatted to Scouts deputy chief commissioner Craig Turpie about helping renovate a Scout hut with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis during the Big Help Out the previous day. “The children had a great time,” she said.
“You must be thrilled. It was a wonderful turnout. It’s so great getting young people involved in helping others.”
SPECIAL MEMORIES
Talk of the previous weekend’s events filled the air, with 93-year-old Dame Elizabeth Watts telling William
