The first royal sign of summer

The weather has been heating up, the sun has been shining and there's even been the odd thunder shower.  But while they may be indications that summer is on its way, there's an even clearer sign that the dark days of winter are gone and that spring is making way for the splendour of the middle of the year.  The Queen has held a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh step into summer as the first garden party of the year takes place at Buckingham Palace

On May 21st 2014, the palace gates were thrown open to hundreds of invited guests who drank tea, ate sandwiches and cakes, indulged in strawberries and cream and spent time seeing and meeting the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice who accompanied her grandparents on this first big summer event of the year.

Princess Beatrice at the Buckingham Palace garden party that started the summer season on May 21st 2014

The tradition was started by Queen Victoria in the 1860s and every year there are at least three garden parties at Buckingham Palace and one at Holyrood House, the Queen's official residence in Scotland.  Guests come from all walks of life and are treated to cake, tea and a chance to look at the gardens of the palace which are usually out of bounds.  The weather stayed warm and dry for the first event of 2014.  And with the Queen having already attended the Chelsea Flower Show earlier this week, this garden party really is a royal sign that summer is on its way.