Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie joined the Queen at the second of her annual summer garden parties at Buckingham Palace on Thursday afternoon. The two princesses were impeccably turned out for the exclusive yet informal event. Beatrice, 24, wore a fashionable monochrome print dress, cropped jacket, elegant court shoes and an off-centre floral hat. Her younger sibling Eugenie, 23, was the epitome of daytime chic in a white dress, nude jacket and an unusual hat inspired by the lily flower. The increasingly stylish duo both carried sleek black clutch bags.
They mingled with guests who had lined up to meet them and other members of the royal family including their father Prince Andrew, their grandfather Prince Philip and their aunt Princess Anne. The attentive pair charmed the crowds, chatting to fellow guests who had been invited to the event. Their attendance at the event comes on the day that their father Prince Andrew unveiled his new website, giving an insight into his and his daughters' roles. The site revealed that Beatrice has a full-time job in finance and that her sister Eugenie is pursuing a career in the art world.Her Majesty, aged 87, was dressed in a pastel pink outfit and smiled as she greeted crowds.
The royal party were welcomed into the garden at around 4pm to the rousing sound of the national anthem played by one of the two military bands providing the soundtrack for the event. Cakes, sandwiches and a special tea blend called 'Buckingham Palace Garden Party Tea' are laid on for the lucky invitees. Two bands play alternately throughout the festivity. Attendees are privileged to be able to explore the gardens which are not normally open to the general public. Unfortunately for the two sisters, their attendance at the garden party didn't coincide with their cousin-in-law Kate Middleton's last week.
The Duchess of Cambridge, whose baby is due in July, attended the event alongside her father-in-law Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. The mum-to-be looked radiant in an on trend lemon yellow Emilia Wickstead dress coat. The New Zealand born, London-based designer is one of the fashionista royal's first stops for elegant outfits. Kate wore a pretty pink pleated design from the same label to last year's event.
With her glossy brunette locks in a semi updo, the 31-year-old accessorised the summery outfit with a sophisticated cream hat and carried a nude patent clutch bag and wore matching heels. The famously thrifty dresser wore the same Jane Corbett hat at the Royal Order of the Garter procession at Windsor Castle in June 2012. There are at least three royal garden parties held at Buckingham Palace each year and one at the Queen's Scottish residence Holyrood House.
