Charles and Camilla host their first garden party as monarchs

Kicking off the celebrations! King Charles and Queen Camilla host their first Buckingham Palace garden party as monarchs – just three days before the coronation

• Charles and Camilla welcomed thousands of guests to their London residence
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King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed thousands of royal fans to Buckingham Palace this afternoon for their first garden party as monarchs.

The royal couple invited guests – including singer Lionel RIchie and his girlfriend Lisa Parigi – into the grounds of their official London residence, just three days before their coronation. 

The Queen, 75, looked effortlessly elegant in a navy-and-white coat dress by Bruce Oldfield – the designer who is reported to be creating her coronation gown.

The royal then paired this with a matching navy hat with a white ribbon, which was designed by Philip Tracey – the man who created her wedding headpieces in 2005. 

Meanwhile, the King, 74, was dapper in a black suit and top hat – which he removed to address their guests at the beginning of the engagement.

King Charles was all smiles as he greeted guests at his first Buckingham Palace garden party as monarch today

Queen Camilla wore a navy-and-white striped coat dress by one of her favourite designers Bruce Oldfield. Pictured greeting Lionel Ritchie and his wife Lisa Parigi

As they arrived at the party, the King stood with a wooden walking stick to speak with his guests.

The pair then proceeded to work their way through the crowds – who have been specially selected by Palace aides.

The US star will be performing at the Coronation Concert this Sunday. Lionel looked suitably smart in a black morning suit while his long-term girlfriend Lisa wore a stunning Monique Lhuillier blue floral dress.

Many of the 500 Coronation Champions, recognised for their volunteering by the Royal Voluntary Service of which Camilla is patron, have been invited to the garden parties, as well as one of the official coronation festivities.  

King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by the newly-appointed Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

For today’s engagement, Sophie, 58, opted for a pink-and-white checked coat by Suzannah London.

She then paired it with a blush floral hat by Jane Taylor, which she wore to last year’s Trooping the Colour. 

What’s more, Prince Edward, 59, appeared to match his elder brother in a long-line black jacket, dark grey trousers and light grey waistcoat. 

King Charles and Queen Camilla pictured greeting their thousands of guests at this afternoon’s garden party at Buckingham Palace

Glamorous guests donned their finest dresses and fascinators to meet the King and Queen this afternoon

Excited guests try to capture the moment King Charles and Queen Camilla appear on their smartphones 

The couple stood on the garden steps of Buckingham Palace before working their way into the crowd

Many of the 500 Coronation Champions, recognised for their volunteering by the Royal Voluntary Service of which Camilla is patron, have been invited to the garden parties

Yeoman of the Guard were pictured practising on the lawns before standing to attention as Charles greeted his guests

King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh 

Yeoman of the Guard were pictured practising on the lawns before standing to attention as Charles greeted his guests. 

On May 9, the royal couple will hold another garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Another garden party will be hosted at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on July 4 during Holyrood Week. 

The King has also given permission for two additional garden parties.

The Duchess of Edinburgh will host The Not Forgotten Association annual garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 16.

The tri-service charity provides entertainment, leisure and recreation for ex-service men and women with disabilities or illness and serving personnel who are wounded, injured or sick.

Last year, Charles and Camilla stepped up to host the first Buckingham Palace summer garden party as the late Queen was struggling with mobility issues.

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