Royal Garden Parties

Have you ever wanted to go to a Royal Garden Party?  You have until February 12th to apply.  If you are a Canadian citizen with a valid passport you apply online through the Canadian High Commission in London.  You can take one guest of any nationality but you must have a copy of their passport. If you are thinking of applying, read all the conditions carefully.  I went last year and it was brilliant!  You only get one chance in your lifetime to attend.  In the UK you have to be nominated.  In Canada, it's a lottery.  Good luck if you apply,  I bought the DVD of the Royal Garden Party I attended.  If you want to see it, just ask!

This year, HM the Queen will hold three Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace in London and one Garden Party at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

2018 dates:
Buckingham Palace
Tuesday, May 15
Thursday May 31
Thursday June 5

Holyroodhouse
Wednesday, July 4

The application period is open from 22 January to the 12 of February 2018.

Please note the following requirements:

• Applicants and their designated guest must not have attended a Garden Party previously. We are under strict instructions to ensure that everyone on our nominated list have not attended a Garden Party previously. To avoid embarrassment and disappointment, please do not attempt an application if you have previously attended a Garden Party.
• Applicants and guests must be over the age of 18.
• Applicants must be Canadian citizens with valid Canadian passports.
• Nominated guests may be of any nationality. All applicants are encouraged to attend with a guest.
• Applicants may also apply to bring their unmarried, adult children, aged 18-25. Only two children per applicant will be considered.
• Applications will be rejected if the form is incomplete, if you enter multiple times, if you enter over multiple dates and/or if our records indicate previous attendance.
• Garden Party invitations are strictly non-transferable. If there is any chance that you or your nominated guest will not be able to attend on the day, please do not apply. If you find yourself unable to attend, your space cannot be re-allocated under any circumstances nor can you attend on a different day. If your guest is unable to attend with you, you cannot nominate another person. Unused invitations must be returned to us for security purposes – failure to return your invitation, if it goes unused, must be reported to the Lord Chamberlain’s office.
• Older guests or guests with disabilities who require assistance must be accompanied. If you have accessibility concerns, please indicate this on your form as you may be given alternative entry instructions.
• Please remember to send a copy of the information page of a valid Canadian passport (Main applicant) and the information page of a valid Canadian or foreign passport (nominated guest). Without these documents, your application will be considered incomplete.
• Only successful applicants will be informed by email. Instructions for invitation collection will follow. Invitations must be collected from Canada House on Trafalgar Square and we encourage you to collect these several days before your Garden Party. We are not able to mail your invitations. Detailed dress code information, entry points, security instructions are included in the information pack with your invitation. Due to the volume of enquiries we receive, we cannot respond to enquiries if the answer can be found in the information pack.

General dress code information:
Ladies: Day dress with hat or Uniform (No medals). Trouser suit may be worn. Gloves are optional
Gentlemen: Morning Coat, Lounge Suit or Uniform (No medals).
*National Dress may be worn
*Chains of office may be worn

General entry times:

15:00 – Gates open
15:30 – Tea service begins
18:00 – Event formally ends