Queen’s Palace garden parties cancelled because of coronavirus pandemic

The Queen’s garden parties at Buckingham Palace have been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The decision affects the five due to be held in London this year, but the Palace of Holyroodhouse garden party, which takes place in July, will remain under review.

More than 8,000 guests at a time mingle on the lawns of the Queen’s official residence in London.

The garden parties in London are usually held between May and July.

Although the event is outdoors, guests – many of them elderly – gather to watch the Queen and senior royals circulate down lanes of people.

Guests also queue in tea tents and take their seats in nearby chairs, with around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake consumed at each party.