William and Kate rope in Zara Tindall and Sophie as they step up to host Palace party

Video LoadingVideo UnavailableClick to playTap to playThe video will auto-play soon8CancelPlay nowWilliam and Kate rope in Zara Tindall and Sophie as they step up to host Palace partyThe Prince and Princess of Wales have hosted a Buckingham Palace garden party this afternoon on behalf of the King, meeting a whole host of guests connected to their patronages, military affiliations and passion projectsByJennifer NewtonDeputy Royal Editor16:22, 8 May 2026|commentsThe Prince and Princess of Wales led the royals welcoming community heroes as they hosted a Buckingham Palace garden party today. William and Kate had the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh accompany them at today’s event as well as Zara Tindall, even though she is not a working royal. Zara has helped out at garden parties with cousin William for several years running, although not joining them were Princesses Beatrice or Eugenie, who have been at the events in previous years with the Waleses. Around 8,000 guests were invited to today’s event - many of them connected to William and Kate’s patronages, military affiliations and passion projects. At 4pm sharp, the group of royals emerged on the steps overlooking the palace gardens, where they stood and listened to the national anthem. Kate wore a new Self Portrait dress with a vintage hat as well as a bracelet belonging to the late Diana and earrings that belonged to the late Queen. Afterwards, as they began mingling, they greeted Rhian Mannings, who met William last year. In their emotional chat last year, William was moved to tears as he heard how she lost her young son to a hidden illness before her husband took his own life days later. She later went on to set up the 2wish charity to support bereaved families. The couple also met Sam Stables, the founder of We Are Farming Minds, who works to break down the stigma surrounding mental health in the farming community. He has also previously met with William and Kate when they visited his farm in Herefordshire in 2023. Meanwhile, other guests included young Air Cadets Rowan, Anna and Harry, who became the youngest trio to tackle the 3,000-mile "World's Toughest Row" in January. Garden parties have been held at Buckingham Palace since the 1860s, when Queen Victoria began what were known as "breakfasts", although they took place in the afternoon. Guests queue in tea tents and take their seats on nearby chairs, and around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed at each party. Yeomen of the Guard, dressed in their red and gold ceremonial costumes, form part of the proceedings, and people are free to stroll around the vast expanse of the gardens while a military band plays background music. 1 of 5William and Kate hosting a garden party at Buckingham Palace today (Image:Aaron Chown/PA Wire)2 of 5The couple emerge out on to the steps (Image:Aaron Chown/PA Wire)3 of 5Zara Tindall joined the royal party at Buckingham Palacer today (Image:Aaron Chown/PA Wire)4 of 5The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh also joined the Prince and Princess of Wales (Image:Aaron Chown/PA Wire)5 of 5William mingles with the guests (Image:Aaron Chown/PA Wire)FollowMirrorFacebookX (Twitter)Comment MORE ONPrince WilliamKate MiddletonZara TindallSophie, Duchess of EdinburghPrince Edward, Duke of EdinburghRoyal Family