We entered through the main gates and, after security checks, we crossed to the courtyard and entered the Palace through the main entrance. (the same entrance you may have seen when charles and Diana married). The Entrance Hall was surprisingly plain, with red carpets and Gold banisters on the stairs leading up. we crossed through to a room at the rear which had some very beautiful displays of porcelain and several very large portraits.

From that room we entered the garden, and WHAT a garden! it was more like a park! the lawn was immaculately cut and there was a Long (400ft) tea tent for the guests, with 2 smaller ones for the Royals and the Diplomats.

Tea was served all afternoon, there were a wonderful selection of cakes and sandwiches. the most elaborate was a small chocolate cake which was decorated with the Royal crest in gold.

We had a walk around the Garden and the lake, the rose garden was especially beautiful. we then returned to the main area and stood listening to the 2 bands playing. One of the bands played "Raindrops keep falling on my head" which got everyone laughing, and, not to be outdone, the other band then played "Singing in the rain" which got a few of us dancing and singing with our brollys.

Charles and Camilla came about 4.30 and I managed to get a quick handshake, after walking around meeting the guests, the Royal party retired to the Royal tent at 5,30 to take tea.

The party ended at 6.00 and we then left the Palace and went to St james park opposite where we had a glass or 2 of champagne before departing for home.

All in all it was a fantastic experience, and for me it felt even more uniquely british by the fact that the whole event took place in the pouring rain, and yet there wasn't an unhappy face to be seen.