The Princess chose a Self-Portrait look and a vintage hat for today’s garden party at Buckingham Palace. 
In this image, you see the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh as the national anthem was played. Embed from Getty Images
Details on the party come via Simon Perry’s People story.
The party was already in full swing when Prince William and Princess Kate arrived, with guests enjoying mini sandwiches and tiny cakes for an hour or so beforehand. The royals stepped through the huge doors of the palace, and, signaling the formal start of the celebration, stood at attention for the playing of the national anthem.
Garden parties, which have been held at Buckingham Palace since the 1860s, provide a perfect way for the monarch to recognize public service. Around 30,000 people attend the events across different dates annually, celebrating all areas of public life and British society.
Matt Wilkinson of The Sun shared a video of the Prince and Princess of Wales as they joined the party after the national anthem with the Duke and Duchess and Zara Tindall.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are hosting a Buckingham Palace garden party today on behalf of the King – and joined by Zara Tindall and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. pic.twitter.com/NEE1w5I3V9
— Matt Wilkinson (@MattSunRoyal) May 8, 2026
The Prince and Princess hosted the party on behalf of King Charles. This photograph gives you an idea of just how big the crowd is. Embed from Getty ImagesAnd here you see the Prince and Princess as they greet guests at the party. Embed from Getty ImagesThe Prince of Wales with guests. 
The Daily Mail offers more about today’s festivities in this article.
Their Royal Highnesses met guests from a number of both their patronages, military affiliations and passion projects including William’s Homewards campaign to end homelessness and tenants across Duchy of Cornwall sites.
The Prince of Wales admitted he had ‘bags under the eyes’ as he hosted a Buckingham Palace garden party the day after watching his beloved Aston Villa [footbeall team] reach the Europa League final.
The Princess, meanwhile, told guests that her husband ‘makes so much noise’ when he watches his team on television as she revealed that she let her three children stay up to watch the game against Nottingham Forest on Thursday evening.
‘They all make so much noise, even Louis,’ she laughed. ‘They wanted to go to the match but we let them stay up and watch it.
Below is Zara Tindall chatting with some of those invited to the palace. Embed from Getty ImagesAnd the Duchess of Edinburgh. Embed from Getty ImagesAnother view of the Princess as she mingled with guests. Embed from Getty ImagesIt looked like she was enjoying herself. Embed from Getty Images
Another view of the Prince of Wales as he chatted with guests. 
Crew members from HMS Glasgow were also at the party. You may remember the Prince and Princess at the ship’s official naming ceremony last May. Embed from Getty Images
The Daily Mirror has more information on one of those invited to the party.
The Waleses were reunited with Southport dance teacher Leanne Lucas; who shielded children during the July 2024 knife attack and who they met last February during a visit to the town. Ms Lucas was critically injured in the attack in which three children, Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe lost their lives.
Prince William told her: “It takes a lot of courage to push forwards. You were so brave, you have got so much support.”
Ms Lucas told the Princess: “I was in such a dark place last time we met.”
Below you see the royals during last February’s visit to Southport. 
Prince William speaking with Ms. Lucas (second from right) today. 
We return to The Mirror’s coverage.
She said afterwards of their conversation: “It was like meeting old friends again. We had such personal conversations last time we met. William wanted to keep an eye on my wellbeing, as well as chat about all the knife crime campaigning we’re doing.
She added: “Today is just magical. It’s a once in a lifetime experience, so I’m really honoured to even be invited, let alone get to see them again.
“Last time I met (the Princess), I was quite down, so she just said she was so happy to see me full of energy and passion and enthusiasm again and it’s so nice to see you back to the way that you should be and the way that you were before. It was nice.”
The Mirror’s story also notes that the Princess spoke about Otto, their one-year-old cocker spaniel.
She also chatted to one lady about the family’s one-year-old puppy Otto, revealing that “unfortunately” he had “chewed quite a lot the other day”.
“You have to keep them busy,” she said. “The first thing we do in the morning is check ‘has anyone taken Otto out?’”
In case you missed it in an earlier post, here is a photo of Otto shared on social media by Kensington Palace. 
Royal British Fashion reports the Duchess of Edinburgh was in a dress by Roland Mouret, with a hat by Jane Taylor London. Embed from Getty ImagesShe also notes Zara Tindall’s vibrant blue dress was by Leo Lin, and her hat was a Sarah Cant design. Embed from Getty ImagesNow, for our review of what Kate wore for today’s party. 
It appears that the Princess was in a combination of Self-Portrait pieces, a custom look created for her by the label. The top appears to be from the brand’s Cream 3D Flower Polka Dot Midi Dress ($750), a wool-blend design with a double-breasted look, three-quarter sleeves, shoulder pads, a squared neckline, and an oversized flower adorning the bodice. The skirt looks a lot like the lower portion of the Belted Polka Dot Peated Midi Dress ($545 on sale), a soft, floaty piece showcasing pleats. 
This may be separates, or it could be a dress; the brand frequently offers dresses that look like separates. Here is a closer look at the jacket; the Princess’s belt is cream to match the jacket, not black as seen in the product photos. 
Thank you to BethEmily for pointing out that the skirt looked like this design!
The Princess wore her hair partially pulled back. 
She debuted a vintage hat from The Hat Circle, a straw design by Mitzi Lorenz (£135/$183) with black floral embellishment and an oversized black net bow at the back.
We learn more about the milliner from this piece by the Vintage Fashion Guild.
Mitzi Lorenz was apparently born in Vienna, Austria in March 1911 and became interested in a millinery career when she was 15 years old and apprenticed in a fashion house in Vienna.
As the Mitzi Lorenz business grew amid plaudits for the creations, Madam Lorenz was referred to as a “hat-making legend…a famous maker of model millinery…a brilliant artist…etc.” and in 1992 Lorenz referred to herself as the world’s oldest milliner. In October 1999 Mitzi/Marie Lorenz died at 88 years of age.
The Hat Circle offers contemporary and vintage hats for sale and/or rental, noting, “Let’s celebrate sustainability and give a new purpose to these beautiful, quintessential hats from the past.” Thank you to Gabi for identifying this piece.
Other accessories included the Princess’s Lily Woven Clutch (sold out) by Australian brand Forever New. It was first carried for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee National Service of Thanksgiving in June 2022.
We saw the Ralph Lauren Celia Pumps ($750) again today.
Jewelry included the Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings and the Nigel Milne triple-strand pearl bracelet that originally belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales. The bracelet features three strands of cultured pearls with diamond and pearl spacers and clasp.
I’ll leave you with one more photo from the party. 
