As England is plunged into its third hard lockdown amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, a formal rejig of the Queen’s calendar is understandably taking place.
And among those engagements that are now all but redundant in this new world is one of the royal family’s most iconic events of the year – its summer Garden Parties.
This year, the traditional parties will not be going ahead due to the ongoing pandemic, and its rapid spread in the UK and Europe.
As per HELLO! magazine, the Palace made a statement to confirm the disappointing feat.
“The decision has been taken that garden parties will not take place in 2021,” a Palace spokesperson said.
The Queen’s Garden Parties will not go ahead in 2021.
(Getty)The quaint, sunshiney events usually take place at Buckingham Palace or at the Queen’s Scottish Palace in Edinburgh.
They are attended by a plethora of royal family members, from Harry, Wills or even Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, that’s part of the fun – you never know which of them will attend.
Of course, The Queen makes an appearance as well, making her way around the guests, sometimes engaging in small conversations and sharing her own anecdotes.
Joining them are over 30,000 guests who indulge in an afternoon of tea, biscuits and prime royal watching.
It’s a tradition we truly love to witness each year – and having been a part of the royal calendar since the 1800s, there’s no denying royal fans always look forward to the viewing spectacle it provides.
You never know which royals you’re going to get at each year’s quaint Garden Party event.
(Getty)This marks only the second time the Queen has been forced to cancel the parties during her epic reign.
Last year, the parties were understandably cancelled as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to cause uncertainty in the country.
In addition to the iconic Garden Parties, more beloved events such as Trooping The Colour and VE Day commemorations were also cancelled in 2020.
Despite the disappointing update to the royal calendar, there’s no doubt we’ll still get our royal fix this year.
The Monarchy has adapted and modernised in these strange times, so much so that even the 94-year-old Queen has been hopping aboard the Zoom band-wagon.
So while we may not see the regal family prancing around the Palace gardens this year, we’ll no doubt see them in an even more unique circumstance – their comfortable couches in front of a web camera.
Now that’s unique.
