The Royal Family were out in force at first Palace garden party as the Firm carried on with business as usual despite Prince Harry’s UK trip.
Dressed in a top hat and tails, the monarch laughed and chatted with some of the 8,000 guests just 24 hours after it was confirmed that he would not meet his son despite the pair’s close proximity.
He was joined in the spring sunshine by the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, while Prince William hosted an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.
The only senior royals missing were the Prince and Princess of Wales – William had conducted an investiture at Windsor Castle earlier in the day, while Kate is not undertaking public duties while she has chemotherapy.
It marked a clear show of solidarity for the 75-year-old King, who returned to public-facing duties last week for the first time since his cancer diagnosis.
Wearing his military medals and a star around his neck, which indicates that he is the Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, Harry waved to the crowds before greeting the Dean of St Paul’s, the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, at the top of the steps. Among the 1,000 strong congregation were Princess Diana’s siblings Lady Jane Fellowes and Earl Spencer, and former Army officer Mark Dyer, who acted as the duke’s mentor, playing the role of a supportive big brother figure for Harry after Diana’s death. His lawyer David Sherborne, who has represented Harry in a number of media lawsuits, also attended.
(Image: GETTY)
