The Princess chose a Self-Portrait look and a vintage hat for today’s garden party at Buckingham Palace. 
In this image, you see the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh as the national anthem was played.
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Details on the party come via Simon Perry’s People story.
The party was already in full swing when Prince William and Princess Kate arrived, with guests enjoying mini sandwiches and tiny cakes for an hour or so beforehand. The royals stepped through the huge doors of the palace, and, signaling the formal start of the celebration, stood at attention for the playing of the national anthem.
Garden parties, which have been held at Buckingham Palace since the 1860s, provide a perfect way for the monarch to recognize public service. Around 30,000 people attend the events across different dates annually, celebrating all areas of public life and British society.
Matt Wilkinson of The Sun shared a video of the Prince and Princess of Wales as they joined the party after the national anthem with the Duke and Duchess and Zara Tindall.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are hosting a Buckingham Palace garden party today on behalf of the King – and joined by Zara Tindall and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. pic.twitter.com/NEE1w5I3V9
— Matt Wilkinson (@MattSunRoyal) May 8, 2026
The Prince and Princess hosted the party on behalf of King Charles. This photograph gives you an idea of just how big the crowd is.
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And here you see the Prince and Princess as they greet guests at the party.
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The Prince of Wales with guests. 
The Daily Mail offers more about today’s festivities in this article.
Their Royal Highnesses met guests from a number of both their patronages, military affiliations and passion projects including William’s Homewards campaign to end homelessness and tenants across Duchy of Cornwall sites.
The Prince of Wales admitted he had ‘bags under the eyes’ as he hosted a Buckingham Palace garden party the day after watching his beloved Aston Villa [footbeall team] reach the Europa League final.
The Princess, meanwhile, told guests that her husband ‘makes so much noise’ when he watches his team on television as she revealed that she let her three children stay up to watch the game against Nottingham Forest on Thursday evening.
‘They all make so much noise, even Louis,’ she laughed. ‘They wanted to go to the match but we let them stay up and watch it.
Below is Zara Tindall chatting with some of those invited to the palace.
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And the Duchess of Edinburgh.
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Another view of the Princess as she mingled with guests.
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It looked like she was enjoying herself.
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Another view of the Prince of Wales as he chatted with guests. 
Crew members from HMS Glasgow were also at the party. You may remember the Prince and Princess at the ship’s official naming ceremony last May.
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The Daily Mirror has more information on one of those invited to the party.
The Waleses were reunited with Southport dance teacher Leanne Lucas; who shielded children during the July 2024 knife attack and who they met last February during a visit to the town. Ms Lucas was critically injured in the attack in which three children, Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe lost their lives.
Prince William told her: “It takes a lot of courage to push forwards. You were so brave, you have got so much support.”
Ms Lucas told the Princess: “I was in such a dark place last time we met.”
Below you see the royals during last February’s visit to Southport. 
Prince William speaking with Ms. Lucas (second from right) today. 
We return to The Mirror’s coverage.
She said afterwards of their conversation: “It was like meeting old friends again. We had such personal conversations last time we met. William wanted to keep an eye on my wellbeing, as well as chat about all the knife crime campaigning we’re doing.
She added: “Today is just magical. It’s a once in a lifetime experience, so I’m really honoured to even be invited, let alone get to see them again.
“Last time I met (the Princess), I was quite down, so she just said she was so happy to see me full of energy and passion and enthusiasm again and it’s so nice to see you back to the way that you should be and the way that you were before. It was nice.”
The Mirror’s story also notes that the Princess spoke about Otto, their one-year-old cocker spaniel.
She also chatted to one lady about the family’s one-year-old puppy Otto, revealing that “unfortunately” he had “chewed quite a lot the other day”.
“You have to keep them busy,” she said. “The first thing we do in the morning is check ‘has anyone taken Otto out?’”
In case you missed it in an earlier post, here is a photo of Otto shared on social media by Kensington Palace. 
Royal British Fashion reports the Duchess of Edinburgh was in a dress by Roland Mouret, with a hat by Jane Taylor London.
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She also notes Zara Tindall’s vibrant blue dress was by Leo Lin, and her hat was a Sarah Cant design.
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Now, for our review of what Kate wore for today’s party. 
It appears that the Princess was in a combination of Self-Portrait pieces, a custom look created for her by the label. The top appears to be from the brand’s Cream 3D Flower Polka Dot Midi Dress ($750), a wool-blend design with a double-breasted look, three-quarter sleeves, shoulder pads, a squared neckline, and an oversized flower adorning the bodice. The skirt looks a lot like the lower portion of the Belted Polka Dot Peated Midi Dress ($545 on sale), a soft, floaty piece showcasing pleats. 
This may be separates, or it could be a dress; the brand frequently offers dresses that look like separates. Here is a closer look at the jacket; the Princess’s belt is cream to match the jacket, not black as seen in the product photos. 
Thank you to BethEmily for pointing out that the skirt looked like this design!
The Princess wore her hair partially pulled back. 
She debuted a vintage hat from The Hat Circle, a straw design by Mitzi Lorenz (£135/$183) with black floral embellishment and an oversized black net bow at the back.
We learn more about the milliner from this piece by the Vintage Fashion Guild.
Mitzi Lorenz was apparently born in Vienna, Austria in March 1911 and became interested in a millinery career when she was 15 years old and apprenticed in a fashion house in Vienna.
As the Mitzi Lorenz business grew amid plaudits for the creations, Madam Lorenz was referred to as a “hat-making legend…a famous maker of model millinery…a brilliant artist…etc.” and in 1992 Lorenz referred to herself as the world’s oldest milliner. In October 1999 Mitzi/Marie Lorenz died at 88 years of age.
The Hat Circle offers contemporary and vintage hats for sale and/or rental, noting, “Let’s celebrate sustainability and give a new purpose to these beautiful, quintessential hats from the past.” Thank you to Gabi for identifying this piece.
Other accessories included the Princess’s Lily Woven Clutch (sold out) by Australian brand Forever New. It was first carried for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee National Service of Thanksgiving in June 2022.
We saw the Ralph Lauren Celia Pumps ($750) again today.
Jewelry included the Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings and the Nigel Milne triple-strand pearl bracelet that originally belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales. The bracelet features three strands of cultured pearls with diamond and pearl spacers and clasp.
I’ll leave you with one more photo from the party.
Gayle
Friday 8th of May 2026
I like Catherine's Self Portrait outfit, but not sure if it's a dress or two pieces. Her jewelry is good, the bag ok, but the brown Lauren pumps just don't work today. I agree with several down this chain, her black and cream spectator pumps would have finished off her outfit much better. Sophie and Zara both look great in their blue dresses, perfect for a garden party. The winner today for me is William, he looks FAB in his morning suit, he always wears this style of suit very well.
JoanM
Friday 8th of May 2026
Well, I'm glad to read everyone's comments. It helps me to see things from a different perspective and sometimes changes my opinions. Today, however, I'm still in camp, Meh. The polka dot skirt seems fun, flirty and very suitable for a garden party. The top seems like it can't make up it's mind. Am I a work top, no wait, I'll add an applique flower, cover up a button and look what? Someone please advise. I have always had mixed feelings (can you have clothes related feelings?) about 3/4 length sleeves. They give me a vibe of "Let's get to work and scrub those pots." As pretty much everyone has noted, the pumps are a firm no. The clutch is pretty, but doesn't work. The hat is pretty and a little quirky. From the side, the back looks like it has been squashed. I think I like the concept of the hat, just not the execution. Catherine looks happy, engaged and so thoroughly professional. Sophie and Zara look lovely, but I do agree that the length of their dresses is a little overwhelming.
Marie C.
Friday 8th of May 2026
I’m conflicted about this look. I adore the soft flowy polka dot skirt and the pretty hat on Kate. The jacket is cute, but I would’ve liked it better without the flower. I prefer the cream belt that Kate selected to the black belt. I’m completely baffled by the brown shoes. IMO, this outfit called for black shoes.
I think Sophie looked especially nice in her outfit. Her light blue dress is pretty and that color is very flattering on her.
I don’t love Zara’s outfit, but it’s always a treat to see her. She seems so down to earth and fun.
Jennifer in Sussex
Friday 8th of May 2026
Love the hat, especially the story behind it.
The dress, or separates?, not so much love. I feel like garden party attire should evoke elegance and a kind of whimsy, especially if the wearer forgoes florals. The original design of the dress with the ruffles would have been perfect, maybe with long sleeves. The sort-of suit jacket, even with the fabric flower, weighs down the whole look.
And, as others have noted, the taupe shoes are a big miss for me. The black and white spectators would have looked fantastic!
Zell
Friday 8th of May 2026
This is a very fun, smart look for The Princess of Wales! I really love it, despite the uninspired footwear color of tan. (Bonnie's suggestion, in place of the tan shoes, is Catherine's white shoes with black tips, which is a Brilliant substitute)!
The flower placement looks a bit odd too.
Still, overall, this is so pretty a look, that also has a sophisticated vibe.
The crowning glory is the saucy, sassy chapeau! Catherine is just so lovely looking, wearing this extremely fetching hat!
The pleated, full chiffon skirt of delicate dots is so romantic, and goes beautifully with the more structured top, probably because the top also has a romantic, vintage vibe going on.
The Princess of Wales really hit it out of the park, I'm happy to say!