Chicken bald back

[Guest]

Went into work yesterday and one of my messages was from our Vice Chancellors PA

 

Was a bit worried (lots of redundancies and changes in departments) and I have only recently returned to work after a long period of illness.

 

Anyway, I returned her call, only to be told I had been nominated by my Line-Manager to go to a garden party at Buckingham Palace in June.

 

I was absolutely shocked and stunned to have this honour given to little old ordinary me.

 

I have been looking at the official website and it looks very grand, sandwiches, tea and cakes served in the gardens

 

Has anyone else been invited to one of these parties? If you have any tips for making the most out of the afternoon, I would be very grateful

 

Now what to wear........

[Space Chick]

Congratulations

 

Sounds fantastic, I think it calls for a new florally dress and a hat

[Lewis]

Well done!

[Mrs Frugal]

It'll be fab, Debs !! You'll have a smashing day. As the then unmarried daughter, I got to go with my parents when Dad was invited back in 1984 and we had a really amazing time. Wear comfy shoes as there's an awful lot of standing around though !! The food is lovely . When the Royal family arrive, everyone lines up on either side of the route they are going to take and people are chosen at random to meet them. We weren't chosen but the identical twins standing next to us were so we had a cracking view! Enjoy yourself and tell us all about it when you get back! Get a lovely hat!!

[Chucky Mama]

How exciting, well done you My son was invited to Downing Street for tea and I went with him. Great fun but found a very long hair in my fruit tart - food wasn't great

Edited February 26, 2010 by Guest

[Egluntyne]

The sandwiches are minging I'm sorry to say, and you'll be shoulder barged out of the way by elegantly dressed people who are pillars of the community, allegedly.

 

Apart from that you'll have a fascinating time.

 

Wear comfortable shoes.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Ooh, how posh . Congratulations . Make sure we get a piccie of you in your finery (and comfy shoes ).

[Guest]

Thanks for the tips everyone

 

I have been told to wear comfy shoes and not too spiky heels as you sink into the grass

 

As for photo's, Dans first question was 'Can I take a camera?'

[Egluntyne]

As for photo's, Dans first question was 'Can I take a camera?'

 

I seem to remember that it wasn't allowed, but it was a while ago that we went. Things might have changed.

[PurpleTree]

My in-laws got invites for a garden party for the Caravan Club's Centenary celebrations last year (I think), can't remember which Royal attended now, might've been the Duke of Edinburgh. They paid to have an official photo taken by the gates of Buckingham Palace. I've never seen any other photos so I'm assuming they weren't allowed to take a camera in.

 

MIL wore the outfit she wore for SIL wedding, complete with big hat. FIL was in his bestest suit. Apart from that I can't remember what they said about the food or anything else about the day.

[Chucky Mama]

Official photos only and Downing Street. We did get one outside though of the black doors.

[Guest]

Dan will be disappointed if he can't take his beloved camera in It goes everywhere with him

[Charlottechicken]

Ooh Debs how lovely for you

 

A colleague went about 6 years ago and cameras were not allowed. However, there were lots of folk there with cameras and they weren't confiscated.

 

Comfy shoes? It'll have to be Crocs then

[chick wiggle]

Ooo how exiting for you Hope you have a lovely day

 

Now, come on, Egluntyne, Im sure Im not the only nosey one who wants to know why you went

[Guest]

Ooh Debs how lovely for you

 

A colleague went about 6 years ago and cameras were not allowed. However, there were lots of folk there with cameras and they weren't confiscated.

 

Comfy shoes? It'll have to be Crocs then

 

What a good idea I'll have to get a pink dress to go with my pink crocs

[Egluntyne]

Ooo how exiting for you Hope you have a lovely day

 

Now, come on, Egluntyne, Im sure Im not the only nosey one who wants to know why you went

 

 

It was to do with Him Indoors' job.

[The Dogmother]

I used to go when my father was invited and my mother didn't want to go. As the others have said, long day, lots of standing, rude people and rubbish food.

 

I can't imagine Dan without his camera

[AJuff]

Congratulations! Enjoy you day and watch out for corgie poo . . worse than hen poo I believe.

[docsquid]

What a lovely surprise! I haven't been to a garden party, but I have been to the Palace for something else, and met the Queen. She is an absolutely lovely lady, she puts you so much at ease, it is like talking to your Mum.

 

It is a wonderful excuse to get a new frock, and you will enjoy the day so much. My Mum, who sadly passed away in 2007, had the day of her life. She was waited on hand and foot by a footman the whole time she was there.

 

Some people have high opinions of themselves and are stand-offish or rude, but the vast majority of people who were there when I went were just nice people who had done a lot for the community, and were pretty humble about it.

[Mrs Frugal]

rubbish food

 

We must have gone on a good day then as I certainly wouldn't have called it rubbish. The strawberry tarts and sandwiches were lovely. Rude people, yes, but you get that wherever you go .

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Ooo congratulations Debs , full reports will be expected.

 

Now, come on, Egluntyne, Im sure Im not the only nosey one who wants to know why you went

 

No but you were the one who asked

 

What a lovely surprise! I haven't been to a garden party, but I have been to the Palace for something else, and met the Queen. She is an absolutely lovely lady, she puts you so much at ease, it is like talking to your Mum.

 

Congratulations to you too docsquid for your special visit

 

I think I'd probably burst if I met the Queen, & certainly wouldn't be able to manage a coherent comment

 

Sha x

[BeckyBoo]

My Dad received an MBE a few years ago and I went, I was gutted I couldn't use a camera inside the palace, what a STUNNING place! The Queen is tiny! I was really surprised. (I pinched some loo roll and for ages told everyone they were "wiping" with the same stuff as her majesty! )

 

Have a fantastic time, and Docsquid, well done you, fantastic pictures!

 

BeckyBoo

[The Dogmother]

What amazed me is that the queen is hardly taller than me and I'm only 5'1"

 

Congratulations too docsquid.

[docsquid]

! The Queen is tiny! I was really surprised. (I pinched some loo roll and for ages told everyone they were "wiping" with the same stuff as her majesty! )

 

Becky Boo - both Mums did that too! They were so proud of their Royal loo paper LOL!

[Lewis]

What a lovely surprise! I haven't been to a garden party, but I have been to the Palace for something else, and met the Queen. She is an absolutely lovely lady, she puts you so much at ease, it is like talking to your Mum.

So Sarah!

 

The parentals closest to stealing royal loo roll - Jeremy Kyle's house - not nearly as exotic

Were there 'performing' something at one of his parties - they all have photos on his loo - the only room with no cameras, and had to sign confidentiality agreements