A right royal reunion! The Prince of Wales was joined by his cousins, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Peter Philips, Zara Tindall and her husband, Mike Tindall, as he hosted a garden party on behalf of the King at Buckingham Palace.
Prince William personally invited his family members to join him at the afternoon soiree, as his wife, the Princess of Wales, continues her recovery from cancer treatment.
The rain didn't put a dampener on proceedings as William and his cousins mingled with guests, including a number from William and Kate's patronages, affiliations and passion projects including; Homewards, RAF Valley, Swim England and tenants across Duchy of Cornwall sites.
The future king, 41, joked that it was "perfect weather for swimming" as he met with Douglas Whitlam, President of Swim England, and later revealed that his son Prince George, ten, was a "potential pilot in the making" as spoke with Reverend Squadron Leader Chrissie Lacey, who produced a bag of her freshly baked cookies for self-confessed biscuit lover William.
William also left with a children's book he pledged to read to Prince Louis at bedtime from budding author Rowan Aderyn, part of the Prince's Homewards team in Newport, Gwent.
In recent years, many royal fans have often questioned why the Prince of Wales's cousins do not carry out duties, particularly at a time when there is pressure on a smaller contingent of working royals.
However, Beatrice, Eugenie, Zara and Peter have all carved out their own careers. Beatrice works for US-based tech company, Afiniti, while Eugenie is a director at art gallery Hauser & Wirth in London.
Zara is a competing equestrian while older brother Peter is head of partner acquisition for the sports and entertainment rights agency CSM Sport & Entertainment.
The late Queen's grandchildren do attend large-scale royal events and each support their own charities and causes.
See the best photos from the Buckingham Palace garden party below...
© GettyOn Tuesday, it was the turn of the Prince of Wales to host one of the sovereign's annual garden parties, which each see around 8,000 guests invited to enjoy tea and cake in the beautiful gardens of Buckingham Palace. There was time for a quick top hat adjustment before Prince William joined the proceedings.
READ MORE: WATCH: Meeting King Charles at a palace garden party!
© GettyZara looked absolutely stunning in a pale pink A-line dress with fuchsia buttons - a Laura Green repeat from Royal Ascot 2022. The mum-of-three teamed her frock with a rose pink hat and matching suede court shoes.
Meanwhile, former rugby star Mike donned a morning suit, matching his pink tie to his wife's ensemble.
It marked the first time that Zara and Mike have joined a royal party at the palace.
© GettyA closer look at Zara's beauty look with an elegant manicure. The equestrian opted for soft smoky eye makeup and an updo, with loose tendrils framing her face.
© GettySisters Beatrice and Eugenie wowed with their garden party looks, coordinating with cousin Zara in pink and white hues.
Beatrice, 35, wore the Christina Crimson Dress by go-to label, Beulah London, featuring a high neck and delicate gold button detailing. She teamed the vibrant frock with strappy nude heels and a signature headband.
Meanwhile, Eugenie, 34, looked stunning in a white satin midi dress.
© GettyThe Prince of Wales was also joined at the garden party by the late Queen Elizabeth's cousin, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and his wife, Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester.
© GettyThe future King was all smiles, despite the showers, as he chatted and shook hands with excited guests.
© GettyEvery summer, the monarch traditionally hosts three Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace, and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland. Historically, Garden Parties took the place of presentation parties attended by debutantes, and have evolved into a way of recognising and rewarding public service.
© GettyPeter shares a close bond with William and Kate, and was seen cheering on his cousin at a charity polo match in Windsor last summer. Peter split with his girlfriend Lindsay Steven earlier this year and is now in a relationship with Harriet Sperling. Earlier this month, the new lovebirds were seen holding hands at the Badminton Horse Trials.
© GettyMike's outing at the palace comes just days after he hosted his annual golf charity fundraiser, where he told HELLO! about his family's summer plans.
"We really enjoy going to watch Zara compete – and Badminton [Horse Trials] was a lovely weekend," he said. "I think they all really got a sense of what she does this year and it is always great to be able to support her as a family."
Mike and Zara are parents to Mia, ten, Lena, who turns six on 18 June, and three-year-old Lucas. And the family will be supporting Zara throughout the next few months, planning their summer around her competitions.
"[We will be] hopefully getting some time away but Zara's season is in full swing so will just be a juggle around that and spending time watching her as well." He continued: "It's very hard to sum up a typical day – with horses, dogs, kids and work I think I’d say no day is the same but that keeps things really fun and interesting!"
© GettyZara, who took time out of her training to attend the garden party, is an Olympic silver medallist and former Eventing World Champion.
© GettyAnd if you've ever wondered how royal ladies avoiding getting the heels of their shoes stuck in the mud on rainy days, Zara was wearing protective stoppers on her footwear. Genius!
© GettyPrincess Eugenie opted for a bridal-esque satin tea dress by Ulla Johnson with Valentino studded heels and a pink headband with bow detailing by Emily-London X Alice Archer.
Her appearance at the garden party comes a day after she attended an ultra glamorous lunch with sister Beatrice at the Audley pub in Mayfair, before Beatrice hosted a dinner to celebrate designer Mark Cross' fabulous collaboration with fragrance company AERIN.
© GettyWilliam looked thrilled as he was handed a colourful piece of artwork from one talented guest at the party.
LOVE THE ROYALS? JOIN THE CLUB!
If you are reading this, the chances are you are obsessed with all things royalty – which is just as well because so are we! So obsessed, in fact, we’ve launched a club solely dedicated to covering them. So welcome to The HELLO! Royal Club. We would love you to join us there…
What is it?
Interactive community offering behind-the-scenes access, exclusive royal interviews, unmissable royal insights, and an illustrious royal Inner Circle.
Member benefits
- Two weekly newsletters, one from Emily Nash
- Video posts and audio notes from Emily Nash and the HELLO! Royal team
- Access to our royal community and opportunity to interact with club writers and members
- Participate in polls, comments and discussion threads
- Royal-themed puzzles with a weekly prize to be won
- Access to our Ask Me Anything sessions with our journalists
- Invitations to in-person and virtual events
- A subscription to the digital edition of HELLO! Magazine (Worth £82 annually)*
- Future ‘Inner Circle’ benefits
By royal decree
You are royally invited to join The HELLO! Royal Club – and then to go forth and spread the word to your fellow royal fans. See you in the club!
