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King Charles and Queen Camilla rang in the start of the royal summer season with the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the year, albeit in less-than-sunny conditions. As well as Their Majesties, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester

The King's Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace are taking place today, as well as on May 8 and the third one on May 12. A further two garden parties for specific charities will be hosted in May, and a third will be staged at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on June 30, when the Royal Family head to Scotland for Royal Week.

This year, the garden parties will celebrate frontline workers from across the UK, with a particular focus on this at today's garden party.

His Majesty's garden parties will recognise the dedication and contribution of those who serve their communities through volunteering, supporting charitable causes and working for emergency services.

Two additional themed garden parties will take place over the summer, both in May at Buckingham Palace. The first one - The King's Trust 50th Anniversary Garden Party - will take place on Wednesday, May 14 and is supported by The King's Trust.

It will bring together over 4,000 beneficiaries, volunteers, staff and supporters to celebrate fifty years of The King's Trust.

Historically, garden parties replaced presentation parties attended by debutantes and have evolved into a way to recognise and reward public service.

On the day of the garden party, the Palace gates are open from around 3pm. The party officially begins when Members of the Royal Family enter the garden at 4pm, when the national anthem is played by one of the two military bands present.

While the bands continue to play a selection of music, members of the Royal Family circulate among the guests through "lanes". Each takes a different route, and random presentations are made so that everyone has an equal chance of speaking to a royal.

Their Majesties' appearance at the garden party marks their first joint appearance since they left the US following their successful state visit. After bidding farewell to President Trump, the Queen flew back to the UK, while the King travelled on alone to visit the island of Bermuda.