When the invitation first arrived, I genuinely thought it might be a scam, I just couldn’t believe it. Attending the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace felt like something completely out of the ordinary, and I was both honoured and overwhelmed.
Walking through the Palace gates felt surreal. To be on the other side was a moment I’ll
never forget. The gardens were absolutely stunning: a large, peaceful lawn, a beautiful lake, and wildflowers and roses blooming everywhere. The whole atmosphere was calm, elegant, and full of charm.
Afternoon tea was served in true royal style—scones, posh sandwiches, lavender cakes, and freshly brewed tea. It was such a treat.
The real highlight was seeing Prince William, Princess Kate, Sophie, Edward, and Princess Anne walking right past me. I said hello as they passed, and Kate even looked directly at my camera when I took a photo!
The weather was perfect, and the whole day felt like a dream. It’s one of those rare experiences in life that stays with you forever, especially an Asian girl from Bradford.
As the founder of Happy Healthy You, a Bradford-based community interest company that supports mental health, physical activity, and empowerment in underrepresented communities, I believe this invitation was also a recognition of the work we’ve been doing across the district, the team, the partners and the community we serve. It means so much to be seen and included at this level and thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey.
