The Duchess in Pink McQueen for Buckingham Palace Garden Party

Following a busy week of preparations and visits to the RHS Chelsea Flower show, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined Her Majesty once again today for the second Buckingham Palace garden party of the season.

The summer brings an array of calendar staples from RHS Chelsea and garden parties, to Trooping, Order of the Garter, Ascot and polo. I love the tradition associated with each of these events, and the history the royal family has with each one.

The royal party made their entrance at 4 pm to the national anthem.

Every summer, Her Majesty hosts three Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace, and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland. In a sign of the Queen reducing her commitments, Prince Charles hosted the first this year.

The garden parties were instituted by Queen Victoria in the 1860s when they were known as 'breakfasts', despite taking place in the afternoon. Historically, Garden Parties took the place of presentation parties attended by debutantes, and have evolved into a way of recognising and rewarding public service.

They were greeted by an 8,000 strong crowd.

They then dispersed into the crowd, taking a separate route, known as 'lanes', to ensure as many guests as possible had the opportunity to meet a member of the Royal family.

Over the course of each year, The Queen welcomes over 30,000 guests to spend a relaxed summer afternoon in the beautiful palace grounds.

The Duke and Duchess enjoy a laugh with guests.

The Palace describes Garden Parties as "an important way for The Queen to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community".

More from the official website:

"Throughout the country, a long established network of sponsors is used to invite guests, who include Lord-Lieutenants, Societies and Associations, Government Departments, Local Government, the Services, the Church and other Faiths.  They nominate guests for invitation and we hope in this way to achieve a representative cross section of the community.  It is not possible to acquire invitations to The Queen's Garden Parties through direct application to Buckingham Palace."

On Instagram, Kensington Palace shared a very sweet photo of Kate meeting assistance dog Max. They wrote: At today’s Garden Party The Duke and Duchess met Kerry Irving and his assistance dog Max. In 2006, Kerry’s car was hit by a truck, leaving him housebound with chronic neck and back pain. Kerry still suffers with the pain from his back injury, but he credits Max with helping him to get his life back on track. Kerry has since retrained as a locksmith and Max is always with him. Kerry and his wife Angela have held dog walks to give other people the chance to spend time with Max, and helped raise money for local rehoming centre Eden Animal Rescue."

Other royals in attendance included the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Sophie chatting with guests.

Princess Alexandra in a lovely floral ensemble.

Her Majesty met artist Yinka Shonibare. His work explores cultural identity and globalisation. William presented him with his CBE earlier this month.

The Mail reports Her Majesty told one guest: "Well you do rather hope the sun shines as when you invite 8,000 people to have tea on your lawn it can be a bit of a worry."

An overview of the event.

A view from the lake at the Buckingham Palace garden party in 1897.

Preparations begin months in advance to ensure everything is in perfection condition ahead of the first garden party. Buckingham Palace revealed: "​Mowing the lawns, edge clipping, leaf-blowing and sweeping are all carried out across the grounds, as many seasonal plants and flowers come into bloom. ​Seasonal bedding displays nearthe rose garden are planted, including Osteospermum 'Tresco Purple', which will come into bloom from June right through to October. In and around the rose garden regular work includes dead-heading, weeding and clipping to ensure everything is as beautiful as possible. And in the final days and hours before guests arrive, final touches to the lawns and grounds are made."

This beautiful Magnolia, named 'Elizabeth', was given as a present to The Queen from Brooklyn Botanic Garden to celebrate her 55th Birthday.

A video from the party.

The Duchess tends to opt for repeats more often than not for garden parties. In 2012, Kate wore a pink Emilia Wickstead dress, in 2013 she selected the vibrant yellow and white Marella coat by the designer. In 2014, Kate wore her much loved bespoke lace Alexander McQueen dress and in 2016 the Duchess brought back the cream ruffled McQueen dress she first wore for Prince George's christening. In 2016, William and Kate also attended the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland's Garden Party at Hillsborough Castle. Kate chose a gold brocade coat by Day Birger et Mikkelsen she's had for over a decade. And in 2017, Kate repeated her Christopher Kane coatdress.

This year, Kate selected a bespoke soft pink coatdress by Alexander McQueen.

Kate's coatdress incorporates elements from the Open Necked Pleated Coat and the Ruffle Double Breasted Coat.

Kate teamed it with a matching pink hat with floral detail by Juliette Botterill.

The Duchess accessorised with Diana's pearl earrings, we've seen them for a number of formal occasions.

The Duchess carried her Loeffler Randall clutch. UPDATE: Etui Bags report Kate carried one of their designs (with thanks to Ksiezna Kate Blog).

And wore her Gianvito Rossi praline pumps.

It looked like a splendid day for all at the Palace.

The Duchess Introduces the Queen to 'Back to Nature'

It was a decidedly royal affair for the preview of this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show. It's particularly special for the Duchess of Cambridge, as she was delighted to introduce her garden 'Back to Nature' to the Queen and other members of the Royal family.

We've been quite literally spoiled in the run up to this evening, with a selection of candid photos, behind-the-scenes updates, and of course seeing the Cambridge children playing. In a video released by the Palace this morning, the Duchess spoke about the inspiration and process: "It really ties into some of the early years work I've been doing, and I've been really trying to learn about the impact, the importance and relationship of our early childhood experiences on our later adult life. An amazing fact I learned recently was that 90% of our adult brains are developed before that age of five. That's why I think it's so important that all of us whether we're parents or carers or families members really engage in quality time with children and babies from a really, really young age. I really hope this woodland we've created, in a huge collaboration, really inspires families and kids and communities in general to get outside. Enjoy nature. Enjoy the outdoors and really spend quality time together."

The Duke and Duchess arriving this evening.

In a letter to experts revealed over the weekend, the Duchess wrote: "In recent years I have focused much of my work on the early years, and how instrumental they are for outcomes later in life. I believe that spending time outdoors when we are young can play a role in laying the foundations for children to become happy, healthy adults. There are undoubtedly challenges in trying to bring about the transformation that will make positive change for generations to come, and help break the inter-generational cycle of disadvantage and trauma, yet I am inspired every day by the people I meet and am committed to supporting this endeavour. I hope my long-term commitment to working in the early years will help make a difference over a generational timescale."

In January, it was announced the Duchess had spent several months co-creating the RHS 'Back to Nature' garden. Inspired by childhood memories of the natural world and moments that will be created by families in the future. The vision for the garden was to recapture for adults "the sense of wonder and magic" they enjoyed outdoors as children. It is understood the Cambridges' Norfolk bolthole Anmer Hall and Kate's childhood served as inspiration.

The woodland garden is a treat for families in which to play, learn and explore the joys of the outdoors. Let's take a look at the completed project.

More from the RHS: "The tree house, the centrepiece of the garden, is constructed from a beautiful tree with a high platform clad in stag horn oak. A swing seat hangs from the branches, creating a place for children and families to play together. A waterfall and stream offer places to paddle, relax and build dams, while a hollow log presents a challenge of learning to balance as well as to climb."

The pebble-lined stream runs through the garden.

The plants featured include edible produce, plants for craft activities, nectar to attract pollinators and food for wildlife.

A calming green and blue colour palette offers a relaxing space to unwind.

The RHS revealed: "The RHS Back to Nature Garden is key to the RHS’s partnership with NHS England, promoting the physical and emotional wellbeing that access to green spaces and gardening provides. After RHS Chelsea Flower Show, much of the planting and some of the landscaping will go to Devon Partnership NHS Trust Dewnans Centre, as part of a national competition run by the RHS. National Clinical Director for Mental Health, NHS England, Tim Kendall said: "This amazing gift from the RHS has the potential to really touch the lives of staff, patients, and their families at the trust, offering people with the most severe and complex mental health difficulties hope, purpose and sanctuary."

According to royal reporters on the scene, Kate was particularly excited to show the Queen 'Back to Nature'. Emily Andrews reports: "Before Her Majesty arrived, Kate quickly swept the garden for stray leaves and stuffed a dead branch into her handbag (& gave it to an aide) as there wasn’t a bin! Kate’s last minute sweep of her garden paid off. “It’s very tidy” remarked the Queen as she walked past the perimeter. HM chuckled when William showed her the Reed boats Kate and the schoolkids has made earlier. Kate was endearingly nervous at first and William held back as she led."

The Duchess discussed elements of the garden with the Queen. Lizzie Robinson noted Kate incorporated memories from the Queen's life "including carrots and beetroot which she remembers planting as a girl."

Established in 1913 on the grounds of Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has become one of the world’s greatest showcases for horticultural excellence, attracting visitors and exhibitors from across the globe. Since its beginning, the show has gone from strength to strength. It has grown from 244 exhibitors in 1913 to over 500 today, including gardens, nurseries, floristry, educational displays and trade stands.

The Chelsea Flower Show is a staple on the royal calendar thanks to Her Majesty's patronage of the Royal Horticultural Society, and the show has been attended by countless royals over the years. Since the Queen's ascension to the throne in 1952, she has only missed it five times. It's an event she dearly loves and I imagine it's extra special to have a garden by a member of the family. Kate's garden continues a tradition started by her father-in-law. In 2002, Prince Charles co-designed a garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in memory of the Queen Mother. Prince Harry co-created a garden in 2013 for Sentebale. In 2015, Prince Harry enlisted Matt Keightley to create the 'Hope in Vulnerability' garden based on the flowers of Lesotho.

Kate introduces Her Majesty to co-designers Andree Davies and Adam White of Davies White Landscape Architects.

More from the Mail Online:

'As they departed, the Queen remarked: 'Very interesting.' Kate was heard to say: 'Thank you very much, Your Majesty. We will see you later.' There was also a comedy moment when the director general of the RHS, Sue Biggs, remarked to the Queen, 'You didn't fancy a go?' - thought to be in reference to the garden's rope swing, which Kate and her children had all swung on the day before.'

The Countess of Wessex was eager to visit the treehouse.

The Duchess gives Princess Beatrice a tour.

A video from the evening.

Kate selected the very pretty Erdem 'Shebah' dress for the event (with thanks to Danielle Stacey).

The floral, cotton-silk dress is crafted of white cotton-silk voile printed with a multicoloured floral pattern. It's described as: "Showcasing the Victorian influence on the British label, this high-neck style is accented with white crocheted lace and raw-edge ruffled trim. High neck. Three-quarter-length sleeves." The print worked very well with the background of the green hues in the garden.

Several of you noted the print appears to feature forget-me-nots, Diana's favourite flower, which is included in 'Back to Nature'.

Kate wore her Castaner Carina wedges.

The Duchess accessorised with her Cassandra Goad Cavolfiore Pearl Studs. The £4,360 pair are described as "set with seven pearls set with diamonds (0.3cts). Inspired by the clusters of young flower stalks of the cauliflower (cavolfiore) in the market. From the Journey to Sicily".

And her Cartier watch.

I really enjoyed hearing Kate speak to Monty Don on the BBC's RHS Chelsea Flower Show earlier this evening. She toured the garden with him and spoke about the process of choosing the trees in the winter and her belief in encouraging families to spend more time outside. She spoke about how much she loves spending time outdoors as a family, cooking and sourcing materials from her own garden. She said she used "a lot of the bits I've been collecting with kiddies". Kate added she "gets as much enthusiasm making dens" as the children. And when asked if the children love playing outside she said: "Yes, they love it. Poor things are dragged outside, rain or shine." Kate revealed the lasting impact of walking through the bluebells with her grandmother as a child inspired the colour palette. I thought Monty Don a great choice of interviewer; he's a passionate advocate for the positive effects of gardening on mental health. The royals walk a fine line between their personal selves and official roles; I thought the interview was very Kate. It was great to see her talk so candidly and openly. If a video emerges, I'll add it here.

It's been a complete treat to follow the process of 'Back to Nature' since January. I think posting updates regularly was an excellent way of sharing the process step by step. Hearing directly from Kate in the video, the BBC piece and the open letter published in relation to early years offered a very personal touch which added an extra layer to this endeavour. Kate immersed herself in this project, and it was an ideal fit for her, marrying her love of the outdoors with her early years work. She's relished it, visiting almost every day over the past week. It's filled with personal touches and I imagine seeing her own children playing in it was a very special moment. I love seeing the Royal family out in force supporting one another, which we saw in spades this evening. The garden and the thought process behind it are fantastic.

Well done Kate, you should be immensely proud of 'Back to Nature'. George is certainly proud of Mum :)

This is not the end of Kate's gardening efforts though; she will continue her collaboration with Davies White for the remainder of the year. The trio will co-design two further RHS Gardens, maintaining many of elements from the Garden at Chelsea, at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival (2-7 July 2019) and RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey, which will open in the autumn later this year.