As the sun shone over Buckingham Palace on Wednesday afternoon, King Charles and Queen Camilla kicked off the first garden party of the season.
Despite recent tensions surrounding Prince Harry’s latest interview, the couple appeared unphased, greeting their guests with smiles as they strolled through the palace gardens.
The monarch, at 76, was dressed in a sharp grey and baby blue three-piece suit, while Queen Camilla, 77, looked effortlessly elegant in a satin blue and white lace dress, topped off with a wide-brimmed hat and kitten heels.
Guests, dressed to impress, mingled in the picturesque setting, enjoying the royal hospitality.
King Charles Keeps Calm Amid Prince Harry’s Public Remarks
While all eyes were on the royal couple, the king seemed entirely unbothered by the controversy surrounding Prince Harry’s emotional comments in his recent BBC interview.
Harry had made some pointed remarks about his strained relationship with his father, including his claim that King Charles “won’t speak to me because of this security issue.”
The interview also touched on Harry’s concerns about his security detail being downgraded after “Megxit” and his struggles with the royal family.
However, King Charles and Queen Camilla didn’t let these public tensions interrupt their duties.
They continued with their royal responsibilities, maintaining their composure and focus as senior royals.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh Join the Celebration
The garden party wasn’t just a family affair for King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie and Edward, also joined the festivities.
The couple has been increasing their presence within the royal fold, particularly as Harry and Meghan have settled in California.
Sophie looked stunning in a black-and-white floral dress paired with a matching fascinator, while Edward wore a classic three-piece suit and top hat.
Princess Anne also made an appearance, dressed in a stylish metallic sky-blue coat and sapphire blue gloves.
A Royal First: King Charles Takes an Uber Boat
Earlier on Wednesday, King Charles swapped the usual state Bentley for something a little more adventurous.
The monarch enjoyed his first-ever ride on a hybrid Thames Clippers ‘Uber boat’ to make his way to an official engagement.
In high spirits, Charles appeared delighted with the alternative form of transportation as he cruised along the Thames, admiring the famous London skyline, including the iconic Houses of Parliament.
The hybrid boat, known as the “Mars Clipper,” is one of three vessels in the Thames Clippers’ fleet, designed to be more eco-friendly.
During the short journey, Charles engaged with employees and apprentices, expressing enthusiasm for the green technology that powers the boats.
He even joked about the wide variety of boats available as he made his way to the dock.
The King Visits London’s Super Sewer Project
After his boat ride, Charles headed to the Thames Tideway Tunnel project — London’s “super sewer” — at Bazalgette Embankment. This ambitious project is set to protect the River Thames from sewage pollution.
The King, who officially opened the tunnel, was briefed on how the 25-kilometer-long sewer can store up to 640 Olympic swimming pools’ worth of sewage.
In his visit, Charles took time to meet the 25,000 construction workers involved in the project.
He also toured the “mini park” created for the community, complete with 71 trees and 3,000 plants, and marveled at the poetry inscribed on the sewer’s ventilation funnels.
For Charles, the environmental and community-focused project seemed to strike a personal chord, as he’s long advocated for sustainable solutions to climate change.
Charles Celebrates a Milestone with Sir David Attenborough
Just a day before, Charles attended a significant event — the world premiere of Sir David Attenborough’s new documentary, Ocean, at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
The King, dressed in a sleek black tuxedo, was seen greeting well-wishers and chatting with Attenborough, a legendary environmental broadcaster who shares a close friendship with the royal family.
The event was extra special as it marked the premiere of Attenborough’s latest documentary, released to coincide with his 99th birthday.
The King, a long-time advocate for environmental causes, has a deep respect for Attenborough’s work and their shared commitment to raising awareness about climate change.
A Busy Week for King Charles
Between royal duties and personal commitments, King Charles’ week has been filled with meaningful engagements.
Whether it’s starting the garden party season with Queen Camilla, embracing new green technology, or supporting significant environmental projects, the monarch remains as dedicated as ever to his role — proving once again that royal life never slows down.