Prince William attended his first royal garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on Tuesday alongside his father Prince Charles and the heir to the throne’s companion Camilla Parker Bowles. After the two future kings appeared together on the steps of the palace, the annual July party kicked off in its grounds. Prince Charles was acting as the representative for the Queen, who normally hosts the event but was in Birmingham on her Golden Jubilee tour.
William, who is currently on vacation after his first year at St Andrew’s University in Fife, where he is studying Art History, wanted to attend as a thank you to Scottish people for making him feel welcome. He spent two hours talking to some of the 4,000 guests about university, the fact that Wimbledon is wrecking his nerves and getting careers advice.
William spoke to 19-year-old Iain Hatton, a cadet sergeant with the Scots Guards – one of the regiments the Prince is tipped to join when he finishes his studies. “He recognised my uniform and was asking me where I was based,” said Iain. “He asked me if my dad had been the influence behind me joining the Army, and said his dad was a big influence on him.” The 20-year-old prince also chatted about the tennis at Wimbledon and admitted being “a nervous wreck” while watching Tim Henman play.
Marilyn Cooper, 53, from Selkirk said: “He was very upset about Greg Rusedski losing. He had watched it on the telly earlier. But he said England had done well in the football and he was proud.” Camilla Parker Bowles, wearing a cream linen dress and feathered hat, made her first appearance at an event hosted by Charles in an official capacity. The 4,000 guests included members of voluntary organisations, charities, community groups, arts organisations, rural communities and the public sector.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Prince William spent two hours chatting to guests about university, Wimbledon and getting careers advice
Photo: © Alpha
Photo: © Alphapress.com
His father, the Prince of Wales, hosted the annual party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse as the representative of the Queen who was in Birmingham on her Golden Jubilee tour
Photo: © Alpha
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Camilla Parker Bowles, wearing a cream linen dress and feathered hat, was making her first appearance at an event that Charles was hosting in an official capacity
Photo: © Alpha
