Living Keys Volunteers Attend Royal Garden Party
Volunteers from Living Keys were honoured to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday 12 May, following the charity receiving the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the special event celebrated recipients of the King’s Award, frontline workers, and community volunteers from across the UK. The Royal Family were also joined by The Duke of Gloucester and The Duchess of Gloucester for the occasion.
The 2026 garden party series recognised individuals and organisations for their exceptional public service, charitable work and volunteering efforts. Guests enjoyed traditional English tea and cakes while strolling through the beautiful Palace gardens, with many also having the opportunity to speak with members of the Royal Family during the afternoon.
Invitations to Royal Garden Parties are by nomination only and are reserved for people recognised through official organisations including local councils, the NHS, the Armed Forces and Lieutenancies.
For Living Keys, the invitation marked another memorable milestone in what has already been a landmark year for the charity and its volunteers. Earlier this year, the organisation officially received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service during a ceremony held at KingsGate Community Church in March.
Attending the Buckingham Palace event, Living Keys volunteer Janet described the experience as unforgettable.
“These days only come once in a lifetime, and it was a special day for us all. It was a lovely day, meeting people, seeing the King and the Queen and enjoying the grounds. Thank you to Linda for this opportunity.
“After the official award ceremony at KingsGate, this event was the icing on the cake – a great year for Living Keys so far.”
The visit to Buckingham Palace was a fitting celebration of the dedication, compassion and commitment shown by Living Keys volunteers in supporting survivors of domestic abuse and serving the local community.
