The King and Queen hosted their first garden party of the summer season at Buckingham Palace, drawing 8,000 guests including many first responders recognized for outstanding community service. Selected by Lord Lieutenants across the country, attendees enjoyed tea, sandwiches, and cake amid chilly weather, with a band playing upbeat tunes from Stevie Wonder and Austin Powers to lift spirits.
Hearing Dog Steals the Spotlight
Two-year-old cocker spaniel Vegas, a Hearing Dog for the Deaf trained to assist those with hearing impairments, captivated the event. Owned by Kate Wilson, 52, a teacher from Horsham, West Sussex, Vegas boldly jumped up to greet three senior royals: the King, the Queen, and Princess Anne.
Encounter with the King
The King met Vegas first, as she eagerly jumped up and licked his hand. Unfazed by her paws on his morning suit, he stroked her head fondly. “They do hearing dogs too, now? Marvellous,” he remarked.
Princess Anne’s Delight
Princess Anne, patron of Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, encountered Vegas next. The pup jumped up again, tail wagging furiously. Anne bent down, beaming, and asked, “Is it everyone or is it just me? How old is she? Have you had one before?”
Kate replied, “She’s two and no, she’s my first one.” Anne inquired further, “Ooh, and does she help you? That’s all working well?”
“Oh she really helps me,” Kate shared. “I am a teacher and she has changed my life.”
Growing restless, Vegas began digging into the lawn. Kate apologized, but Anne laughed it off. “Oh it’s quite alright. It’s a good size,” she said, eyeing the hole. As Vegas dug deeper, Kate joked, “I think she’s digging for truffles.” Anne quipped back, “Good luck with that! Let me know if you find any!”
Kate later described the impact: “She’s a wonderful lady with all the work she does. Having Vegas has changed everything for me. She alerts me to alarms and events, allowing my son to leave me without worry. It’s been life-changing. She does jump up a little, but everyone took it in stride.”
Other Royal Engagements
The King, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, mingled for over an hour. He practiced Welsh with guests and received praise for his recent American speech: “I loved your speech. It was amazing and made me laugh so much.” “Oh thank you very much,” he replied warmly.
He spoke sympathetically with Claire Swinburne, 42, a paramedic leader from Northumberland. Attacked last Christmas Day while aiding a distressed man alone at 4 a.m., she sustained arm injuries but remains dedicated after 21 years. “I did what I was trained to do… It doesn’t change me as a paramedic,” she explained. The attacker received a suspended sentence due to remorse. The King affirmed, “Assaults on emergency workers are unacceptable.” Swinburne called the meeting “such an honour.”
Queen Camilla, elegant in a pale blue suit and matching hat adorned with a moonstone brooch, engaged with charity workers from Safe Lives, a domestic abuse organization she supports. “You do a fantastic job,” she told them.
