Taking tea at Buckingham Palace is exciting enough, but 2,000 lucky children will get the chance to do so in the company of their favourite characters from literature. The Queen is inviting them to meet Postman Pat, Paddington Bear and Mr Happy in June as a novel way to celebrate her 80th birthday.
Every child in the country can enter a ballot for a ticket to the magical extravaganza, with each winner able to take along a young friend and an adult. Unlike the smart affairs the monarch usually hosts no dress code has been specified.
The young guests will walk through the Palace out into the garden to discover a fantasy land of fairytale princesses and film characters, as well as the authors who created them.
After tucking into a feast provided by Jamie Oliver the youngsters will watch a specially commissioned show featuring all the literary figures. On the list of party goers is Harry Potter author J K Rowling. "Harry and I are very much looking to attending," said the millionaire writer.
The reception is part of a series of events organised around the date of Queen Elizabeth's real birthday on April 21 and her official one in June.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
