Stewarding at the Palace

Queens Garden Party at Buckingham Palace

It was an honour and a privilege to be a steward at the Queen's garden party at Buckingham's palace. It was a fantastic experience and one I will always remember.

Once getting through airport style security, we were greeted with sandwiches made in the famous palace kitchens. We were then split into groups and assigned our duties. My duty was to stand in at the grand entrance to the palace and welcome guests. I also collected tickets and counted them, which together we counted about seven and a half thousand.

After we were given time to go and have a walk round the garden party. During this time I had the opportunity to see the Queen and other royals like the Duke of Edinburgh. I also had the chance to speak to some of the guests, some of whom were BB officers. I then returned to my post and smiled and said goodbye to guests as they were leaving.

When we had finished and were allowed to leave we marched out in two lines through the grand entrance and out the front of Buckingham palace, where guests and tourists applauded us.

Again, it was an honour and a privilege to represent the Boy's Brigade and one day I hope to invited back to the palace not as a steward but as a guest.

S/SGT Mark Brooks

5th Gloucester