There was no trace of a crust on the cucumber sandwiches, the Yeomen of the Guard lined the lawns and the Band of the Royal Marines played the National Anthem on the stroke of 4pm. So far, so very Buckingham Palace Garden Party.
Except that, in one direction, I spotted TV presenter Maya Jama telling the King about filming ‘snogs’ in Spain. ‘It’s a reality show called Love Island,’ she explained.
‘There’s one born every minute,’ the King chuckled. Nearby, supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was ‘very touched’ after the Queen complimented her on her new range of M&S lingerie.
In among the crowds I spotted, variously, actor Toby Jones, presenter Bradley Walsh, comedian Sir Lenny Henry, newsreaders, directors, painters and both the current and former director-general of the BBC.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla host the garden party at Buckingham Palace yesterday
King Charles speaks with Maya Jama and Campbell Addy at Buckingham Palace yesterday
Charles speaks with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley at The Creative Industries Garden Party
Queen Camilla meeting Sir Lenny Henry during the Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace
King Charles III speaks with Tess Daly and Vernon Kay during the Buckingham Palace party
King Charles and Queen Camila walk during the Creative Industries Garden Party
Guests attending The Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace
Queen Camilla talks with Dame Arlene Phillips (centre) during the garden party
King Charles greets guests during the Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace
King Charles meets guests during the Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace
Maya Jama attending The Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, London in celebration of the Creative Industries of the United Kingdom
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer arrives at the Buckingham Palace garden party yesterday
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King Charles charms model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as he and Camilla make surprise appearance at Buckingham Palace garden party – the monarch's 5th engagement in 48 hours
Entirely absent was the usual mix of mayoral chains, military uniforms, dog collars, fruit-heavy hats and Sunday bests which usually proliferate at a Palace garden party. That’s because yesterday’s event honoured the arts – and not just the famous names. This was also a party for the backstage sweats, special effects geeks and the donors, too.
Overall, it meant a rather more bohemian vibe in the Palace grounds. One man had arrived in a skirt – and it was certainly not a kilt.
As noteworthy as the enthusiasm with which our convalescing King was energetically gladhanding strangers for well over an hour was the very fact that this party was happening. For here was another of those indicators of the way in which this reign differs from the last.
Yesterday was the first time that a monarch has organised a garden party in tandem with a government department. Traditionally, Palace invitations are distributed via a time-honoured network of lord-lieutenants, royal charities and the Lord Chamberlain’s Office. That way, they ensure an even spread of civic worthies, public servants and community leaders from every part of the country.
Charles speaks with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley at The Creative Industries Garden Party
Britain’s King Charles III raises his top hat as he arrives for The Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, on May 15
King Charles III speaks with Louis Theroux. ‘We could all do with some positive energy right now,’ reflected the documentarian
Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley arrives at the Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on May 15
King Charles III and Queen Camilla host the garden party at Buckingham Palace yesterday
Tess Daly and Vernon Kay attend The Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on May 15
Queen Camilla speaks with Roman Kemp during the Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, London
This time, the Palace had left the guest list to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The King’s name might have been on the thick invitation card but the organiser was the Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer. This was her way of celebrating the contribution of the creative industries to UK plc.
‘They are part of our soft power,’ she told me in an interview ahead of the party. ‘When many people think about Britain, they think about the Royal Family, cups of tea and our creative titans. So we’re bringing them all together in one afternoon in one space.’
There was also a cool-headed calculation behind all this, too, she added. ‘The creative industries have doubled in size in the last ten years, both in terms of revenues and employees. They’re now worth £124billion to the economy and our exports have gone up by over 200 per cent.’
With this in mind, she had approached the King. ‘I know that he and the Royal Family are huge fans and supporters of the creative industries,’ she said. ‘I asked him whether he would be willing to do a small event. He was very receptive to the idea. In fact, he took it one step further.’
From a ‘small’ event emerged a tea party for 4,000 people. Though the Palace remains tight-lipped about the King’s cancer treatment, this would certainly not have happened if the King were still feeling under the weather. Besides, his doctors – and the Queen – would never have allowed it.
Toby Jones(Navy Suit) arrives at the Creative Industries Garden Party. He starred in the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office
Former BBC director-general Lord Tony Hall of Birkenhead (left) and BBC director-general Tim Davie attending the party
King Charles III greets Edward Enninful at The Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party
Queen Camilla talks with Dame Arlene Phillips during the Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, London
Britain’s Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester speaks to Elaine Paige during the Creative Industries Garden Party
For this event had been arranged in addition to the regular round of summer hospitality. Though smaller than a full-scale garden party (which can reach 8,000), this still had all the usual trimmings: iced coffee, Sandringham apple juice, egg and cress sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam (blackcurrant as it happens), Chalk Stream trout and pea quiche, coffee eclairs, Dundee cake and Twinings tea.
Even with so many celebrities in the crowd, it might have been rather flat without royalty in attendance. Yesterday, the King and Queen were also joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Gloucester.
Back in the early days of this reign, a few of the King’s critics warned that he might soon be picking constitutional fights with the Government. Instead, we are seeing a growing collaboration between courtiers and ministers to deploy royal star power in support of Whitehall initiatives.
The one caveat is that they cannot stray into party political territory. Giving the arts a pat on the back, albeit at the bidding of a Tory government, was hardly likely to upset the staunchest Left-wing republican luvvie. In any case, this time next year, we might very well see a Labour government doing the same.
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh speaks with guests during The Creative Industries Garden Party
Queen Camilla meeting Nikki Fox during the Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party
It wasn’t just the guests who looked different. So too did the hosts. Not only did the King step out through the French windows in a pink waistcoat (instead of the usual grey) but it matched the Queen’s Anna Valentine dress. ‘I complimented them on their pinks,’ artist Tracey Emin, told me. ‘But the Queen told me it was unintentional!’
For the best part of an hour, the King took one ‘lane’ through the crowds and the Queen another. She greeted youth theatre workers, poets and dancers. ‘She remembered me from when we last met,’ said choreographer Arlene Phillips. ‘It was at a concert after I’d just been let go from Strictly and she said how much she missed me which was very kind.’
Despite a lifetime of red carpet events, director Sir Ridley Scott said he was bowled over by this production, along with the Order of the British Empire service he had attended with the King earlier in the day. ‘I do this kind of thing for a living and I am amazed by the way they do it,’ he reflected.
That had been the intention, explained Ms Frazer. Much of the arts world might love to gripe about the Tories, but the secretary of state was unfazed. ‘As a Government, we’ve supported the creative industries phenomenally over the last ten years with tax reliefs. But we can do so much more to support them. We can recognise and applaud their efforts. Which is what we’re doing today.’
King Charles III and Queen Camilla attending The Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, London
King Charles III meeting Barney and Bradley Walsh during the Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party
Yeoman of the Guard march in formation during the garden party at Buckingham Palace
Even with so many celebrities in the crowd, it might have been rather flat without royalty in attendance. King Charles speaks with actor David Harewood
At the far end of the lawn, the inner sanctum, the Royal Tent, included some of the biggest donors to the arts, including philanthropists Sir Len Blavatnik and Lady Sainsbury of Preston Candover, at the behest of the minister. ‘I’m very passionate about making sure that we acknowledge the huge, charitable giving that goes on, across the country,’ Ms Frazer said.
What about the protesters who attempt to shut down any arts venture sponsored by businesses of which they disapprove? In recent months, activists have targeted the British Museum because it receives funding from BP, while a ballet at Sadler’s Wells was stopped by a demonstration against Barclays.
‘I think we should recognise and thank corporates and individuals who sponsor and support the arts. I would encourage organisations to take the money and thank the donors,’ said Ms Frazer. ‘I don’t think we should be discouraging them. I say to BP: ‘Thank you.’
While the event was about the cultural wing of the DCMS, the secretary of state was adamant that the world of sport can play a major part in bolstering the economy too. ‘We will be hosting the men’s Euros in 2028. I’m very excited about that,’ she said. Nor would she rule out another bid for the World Cup. ‘We have a lot of irons in the fire.’
Twelve years on from London 2012, could she foresee another Olympiad in the UK? ‘I would be supportive,’ she replied, adding: ‘At some point in the future.’
Few of yesterday’s guests were discussing politics of any colour, however. The chief topic of conversation was a general consensus that our recovering King was looking as rosy as his waistcoat. ‘We could all do with some positive energy right now,’ reflected documentarian Louis Theroux.
King Charles gives a playful response to Maya Jama as she says she won’t touch him again after breaking royal protocol (before asking if he watches Love Island!)
By Connie Rusk and Gia Tobasco
Watch the moment King Charles gave a playful response to Maya Jama after she apologised for breaking royal protocol by touching him at a Princes’ Trust event years ago.
The Love Island host, 29, greeted the King, 75, and Queen Camilla, 76, as she attended the Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
Maya said: ‘Nice to meet you. Well, I’ve actually met you before, a long time ago. About something with the Princes’ Trust and I touched you. I wasn’t supposed to. This time I won’t.’
Laughing, King Charles told her: ‘Don’t worry about it’ to which she responded: ‘You don’t mind, yeah?’.
There are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms. It’s best to not initiate touching unless the royal gives you their arm.
Watch the moment King Charles gave a playful response to Maya Jama after she apologised for breaking royal protocol by touching him at a Princes’ Trust event years ago
The Love Island host, 29, greeted the King and Queen Camilla as she attended the Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday
Maya looked incredible in a blue patterned dress. Leaving her long dark tresses loose in waves, Maya wore a coordinated eye-catching blue fascinator
The Royal then asked her: ‘How are you getting on?’
‘I host Love Island. I don’t know if you watch that though. That’s like a reality dating show. That’s what I do,’ Maya said.
But King Charles didn’t seem familiar with the hit ITV2 dating show as he told her: ‘There’s One Born Every Minute’ – a Channel 4 show which documents the drama and emotion of a maternity unit, from the perspective of the parents-to-be and the maternity ward staff.
Maya said: ‘There is, yeah.’
The TV host later took to Instagram to share a text exchange with her friend. They wrote: ‘Gift that keeps on giving. I love the fact you said the words: “I touched you but I wasn’t supposed to” to the King of the United Kingdom’. Maya replied: ‘Lol. How do you know that’.
To which her friend replied: ‘Mate! It’s on Sky News’.
The television personality looked incredible in a blue patterned dress. Leaving her long dark tresses loose in waves, Maya wore a coordinated eye-catching blue fascinator.
She added inches to her frame in a pair of black towering heels and toted her belongings around in a matching handbag.
At the garden party, which was thrown to celebrate the Creative Industries of the United Kingdom, Maya met King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Maya said: ‘Lovely, nice to meet you. Well, I’ve actually met you before, a long time ago. About something with the Princes’ Trust and I touched you. I wasn’t supposed to. This time I won’t’
Laughing, King Charles told her: ‘Don’t worry about it’ to which she responded: ‘You don’t mind, yeah?’
The TV host later took to Instagram to share a text exchange with her friend. They wrote: ‘I love the fact you said the words: “I touched you but I wasn’t supposed to” to the King’
Maya uploaded a photo of herself in the stunning blue dress as she walked through the grounds
Maya attended The Prince’s Trust Awards back in 2019, where she met King Charles
Maya greets King Charles at the Prince’s Trust Awards in 2019
The television personality looked nervous as she waited to talk to the then Prince Of Wales who was speaking to boxer Nicola Adams
Maya giggled as she chatted to her friend after greeting the royal
Maya asked King Charles if he watched Love Island, but the His Majesty was more of a fan of One Born Every Minute (pictured in the promotional shot for the new series next month)
Leaving her long dark tresses loose in waves, Maya wore a coordinated eye catching blue fascinator for the lavish occasion
The Love Island presenter, 29, turned heads in the off the shoulder maxi dress which featured a daring split down the back
The King, 75, looked dapper in a three-piece suit which included a grey blazer and matching trousers along with a pink silk waistcoat, patterned tie and black polished shoes.
His Royal Highness – who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer – tied the look together with a black top hat and came prepared for the unpredictable British weather with an umbrella.
Queen Camilla looked regal and cut a sophisticated figure in a long-sleeved baby pink flared dress with fringe detailing.
She paired with a diamond flower brooch, a cream hat, a simple eggshell-coloured matching handbag and monochrome heels.
Some of the guests at the event included model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Tess Daly, Dame Arlene Phillips, Alex Jones, Roman Kemp and Vernon Kay.
The occasion brought together approximately 4,000 representatives across culture, art, heritage, film, TV, radio and fashion.
Taking to Instagram, Maya beamed as she told her followers she was ‘off to a very snazzy affair’.
It comes after Maya made sure all eyes were on her in a black figure hugging dress as she attended her Beauty Works party at JOIA in Battersea on Monday.