Cumbria Lord-Lieutenant

Royal Garden Parties

Every summer, the Royal Family hosts three garden parties at Buckingham Palace (and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland) as a way of rewarding and recognising public service. Approximately 30,000 people, drawn from all walks of life, are invited to attend
royal garden party image

The Lord-Lieutenant is invited to make a limited number of nominations of individuals who have made a significant contribution within their communities in Cumbria.

It is The King's wish that those invited should be drawn from across the county and reflect all its diversity.

If you wish to nominate someone you think has given outstanding service, please download a nomination form and send it to the Lieutenancy Office by 1 November.

It is important to bear in mind that many more people are nominated than there are places available, and therefore success cannot be guaranteed. 

The nomination of an individual to the Lord-Lieutenant should therefore remain confidential.

If the Lord-Lieutenant is able to include the nomination in their lists, then the office will write direct to the nominee.

What happens at a Garden Party?

On the day of the Garden Party, the Palace gates are open from around 3pm. The Party officially begins when Members of the Royal Family enter the garden at 4pm, when the National Anthem is played by one of the two military bands present.

While the bands continue to play a selection of music, Members of the Royal Family circulate among the guests through 'lanes'.

Each takes a different route and random presentations are made so that everyone has an equal chance of speaking to a Member of the Royal Family. Members of the Royal family then arrive at the Royal Tea Tent, where they meet further guests.

Guests are free to eat, drink and stroll around the beautiful Palace gardens.

See Garden Parties | The Royal Family for more information and a Royal Garden Party video.