Queen Elizabeth II Cancels All Royal Garden Parties for 2021
If there's something the British royal family likes, it's a party, especially when involving hats, tea, and the gardens of Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately, one of their most well-known traditions, the royal garden parties, will, like last year, not happen as planned in 2021.
In an official statement issued by the palace, the decision was made to cancel the garden parties, which are usually held during the summer, due to the new lockdown restrictions in the UK. As tradition dictates, three parties take place at Queen Elizabeth's London residence, while a fourth event is held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. These parties have one goal in common: for the Queen to honor purveyors of public service.
The decision to renounce these parties was made following UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement of another national lockdown which is expected to last until February due to a dangerous variant of COVID-19, which is reported to be more easily transmitted and spreading across the country. While the lockdown is expected to end before the summer, without adequate planning time, the palace decided it would not be wise to go ahead with the plans, especially as the pandemic continues to hit the country.
Garden parties are a tradition that dates back to the 19th century, more specifically during the 1860s. Today, they are attended by almost 30,000 people who gather to celebrate British public life and society.
Annual events also allow the public the rare opportunity to mingle with members of the royal family. The Queen's last celebration, which took place in 2019, included members of the royal family, Prince Harry and his cousins, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as Meghan Markle, were also participants in the royal celebration.
