The annual summer garden parties that are held every year since 1860 at Buckingham Palace will not be taking place in light of recent COVID-19 lockdown measures.
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With more than 60,000 cases having been reported in the last 24 hours due to the new super-spreading COVID-19 strain ravaging the UK, Queen Elizabeth II has decided to, exceptionally, take a break from the lavish get together this year.
A source close to the Royal Family confirms that:
The decision has been taken that garden parties will not take place in 2021
In previous covid-free years, three parties are held at Buckingham Palace each May, for The Queen to honour and recognize public service. Following Boris Johnson's announcement of a new national lockdown in Britain that will last until at least mid-February, the decision to cancel the festive floral-ridden parties was inevitable.
As preparation for the garden parties are usually done around this time of the year, vendors that would cater to the parties have not been able to plan things accordingly due to the restrictions put in place. The contractors who help produce the event have said to have been informed.
An event giving the chance to meet with the Royal Family
The garden parties have been around for more than a decade now and usually garner audiences surpassing 30,000 people in attendance each year. This celebration, in dedication to public life and British society, is a special one given the fact that it allows members of the public the rare opportunity to mingle alongside members of the Royal Family.
Past attendees have included the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice. Prince William and Kate Middleton have also routinely assisted the garden parties.
