Allied Masonic Degrees of England and Wales and Districts and Councils Overseas
 District Grand Council of Kent buffer News:
A Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on 12th May 2022
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Some brethren may recall that Alan Eadie and Ray Walters together with their respective wives Jean and Val had the pleasure of attending a Christmas Party at The State Apartments, St. James’s Palace, way back in December 2018, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO.

 In addition to this memorable day out both Alan and Ray, again accompanied by their wives, had the pleasure of attending a Garden Party, held by kind permission of Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace on the 12th May 2022. Sadly, Her Majesty could not attend but she was represented by her daughter Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence. This event like many others had been delayed due to the Covid 19 pandemic but the general consensus by both Alan and Ray was it was very much worth waiting for and the day will linger long in the memory.

A Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on 12th May 2022 The Royal Marines Band forming up

A Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on 12th May 2022 The Royal Marines Band

During the day they were treated a fine selection of sandwiches and cakes, and even the absence of strawberries and cream, a particular favourite of Alan, was soon forgotten by the arrival of an abundance of tubs of ice cream. (It was a little too early in the season for Strawberries).

After lunch the guests were treated to a musical extravaganza commencing with a lone piper who Ray afterwards discovered was on the square and had previously played for the Royal Order of Scotland in Edinburgh. The Royal Marines Band. Portsmouth. (Royal Band) performed “Beating Retreat” for a very appreciative audience before the afternoon was brought to a close by the departure of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence.

A Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on 12th May 2022 Ray, Val, Jean and Alan at Buckingham Palace

The event played host to over 2,000 guests so it was not surprising that Alan, Ray, Jean and Val somehow missed spotting Anton du Beke, Gloria Hunniford, Jeremy Vine, and Vanessa Feltz, although they did spot several other celebrities e.g., Tony Blackburn, Craig Revel Horwood, and Dame Esther Rantzen, dressed in an outstandingly bright yellow outfit.

Click here to read an article written by the Evening Standard covering the day.
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