The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were in Northern Ireland to hold onto the summer a little bit longer as autumn approaches when they attended the Royal Family’s final summer garden party of the year.
The Duke and Duchess were on hand at Hillsborough Castle in County Down to attend the Secretary of State’s garden party on Wednesday.
(Royal Family/ Instagram)
As they normally do, Edward and Sophie split up to speak to many of the 1,000 guests at the garden party. The varied guest list included local community members, business owners, organisational representatives, and more who were being recognised for their community contributions
The Duke spoke with several Belfast business owners whose shops and cafes were targeted during recent racist riots, many of whom are planning to reopen their businesses soon.
(Royal Family/ Instagram)
Members of the Eglinton Women’s Institute were invited to attend the party and were able to speak with the Duchess. The group’s President Irene Boggs shared, ”We are very honoured to be here today. A day out where we don’t have to do the organising and someone else does it.”
The Duchess chose to embrace the end of summer with light yellow Beulah London midi-dress, a light blue Suzannah coat, and a blue Jane Taylor pillbox hat.
