A Day to Remember: Art Classes Group at His Majesty’s Garden Party
On May 15th, 2024, Art Classes Group (ACG) had the immense honour of attending a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, hosted by the Department of Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS). This prestigious event, celebrating the creative industries, was an unforgettable experience for our organisation, which has been dedicated to fostering visual arts since 2016.
We are Marinela Caldarus, Artistic Director, and Ovais Shamsuddin, Executive Director of ACG, and we are excited to share our journey from receiving the invitation to experiencing the grandeur of Buckingham Palace.
Receiving the Invitation
Only two weeks after receiving the email confirmation about the invitation to His Majesty’s Garden party, we received the invitations by post. It was surreal when we saw the card with a beautifully golden embossed royal cypher and our name printed in elegant calligraphy. The cypher is the Sovereign’s monogram, consisting of the initials of the monarch’s name, Charles, and title, Rex—Latin for King—alongside a representation of the Crown.
We also received information about the dress code, the day checklist, the entrance to the Palace Gardens, the timetable for the afternoon, and security information.
Preparation for the Garden Party
Two weeks ahead of the event we started preparing for the Lunch by choosing our outfits, we did some etiquette research and we planned our travel arrangements.
Choosing the right outfit was a crucial process for this event. Ladies were advised to wear a day dress with a hat, trousers suit could have been worn as well, and gentlemen could wear a morning coat or lounge suit. After extensive research on royal protocol, I opted for a classic, blue navy chiffon dress paired with a red bag and red fascinator hat.
Ovais chose a navy blue suit with a flower print tie.
Because of the nature of the event celebrating all the creative industries, I have decided the add a personal touch to my dress, so I came up with the idea to print my artwork on a white piece of fabric and I have attached it to the dress as a border to the overlay chiffon. I must say that this idea gave me a chance to speak up about my work and passion and it was a good inspiration to start meaningful conversations and creatives from the same industry.
Arrival at Buckingham Palace
As we approached Buckingham Palace, we felt the excitement as everyone was amazingly dressed. The grandeur of the palace, the amount of golden ornaments on the gates coupled with meticulous security procedures made the experience all the more surreal. We could see people admiring from between the fence of the palace and this was the moment when I became extremely emotional.
As we made our way through the palace grounds, we were welcomed by the courteous palace staff and members of DCMS guiding us towards the main event area. The atmosphere was relaxed yet regal, with soft classical music performed by a live military band that played music throughout the afternoon.
The Royal Garden Party Experience
At 3.40 pm, the Yeomen of the Guard, the bodyguard of the British monarch, made their appearance from the Palace.
We made our way to have the chance to see the Royal Family close enough.
At 4.00 pm The National Anthem announced the arrival of the Members of the Royal Family and the Gentlemen at Arms formed lanes for the Members of the Royal Family to move through the guests. King Charles and Queen Camilla made their way down the path, and we all hoped to have the chance to talk to the Members of the Royal Family.
As His Majesty approached, we noticed his genuine expressions of interest in the guests by offering short discussions, which made the moment feel personal and inclusive. He stopped to converse with various guests, showing a genuine interest in their work and experiences. We noticed that the interactions were brief but meaningful, leaving a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to speak with him. The guests were visibly moved, their faces reflecting the honour of his personal connection.
I was admiring the uniform of the Gentlemen at Arms, their scarlet red coat with gold embroidery with an overall effect of visual splendour. We tried to come as close to them as possible and we succeeded in engaging in short friendly conversation that made us cheer.
The food and the drinks served were really exquisite with a selection of finger sandwiches, scones, quiches and an assortment of pastries, cakes and ice cream. Refreshing beverages, including traditional English tea, and apple juice were served throughout the afternoon.
While we took the final stroll through the gardens reflecting on the memorable experience, we had the chance to meet some personalities.
We met Keith Brymer Jones from The Great Pottery Throwdown, and I had the chance to talk about the pictures that I have printed on my dress and how much I admire the pottery show.
We had the chance to take pictures with King Charles’ personal bodyguard.
As the afternoon drew to a close, we listened to the last songs played by the live band, and we prepared for our own departure.
Being invited to Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Creative Industries along with other organisations, musicians, filmmakers, designers and artists, was an unforgettable experience that provided a unique glimpse into the life of
British royalty. We felt incredibly privileged and grateful for the opportunity to be invited by the Department of Culture, Media, and Sports.
The garden party at Buckingham Palace concluded with a sense of fulfilment and joy. The event celebrated the creative industries and fostered a sense of community and connection among the attendees. As we said farewell to the Palace, we carried with us the honour of participating in such a prestigious and memorable occasion.
Conclusion
If you ever find yourself invited to a royal event, remember to research the etiquette thoroughly and dress elegantly but modestly. Respect for tradition is key. Also, be brave to add your personal touch to your dress either with delicate embellishments or additional details on your fascinator hat.
You will attract people’s attention and you can showcase your artistic flair.
Additional Resource
Links: Social media @RoyalFamily @DCMS