The Not Forgotten Garden Party - Buckingham Palace - 19th May 2026
For the first time back in 2023, The Not Forgotten Charity invited 12 members to represent us at their Annual Buckingham Palace Garden Party hosted by their Patron HRH the Princess Royal. This year we were invited to send a member and their guest. The National Committee kindly offered the ticket to me, and I asked John Shere (7 Group) to be my guest to acknowledge all the work he has done to preserve and promote our heritage over many years. We both felt highly privileged and eagerly looked forward to the experience.
The day dawned wet and the weather notice in the Palace Gardens warned of thunderstorms was not encouraging. Luckily, we were spared and the clouds cleared.
Promptly at 1500hrs, HRH Princess Ann and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence appeared. They spent two hours ‘working’ the line of Veterans selected to meet them. The stewards and security staff made us all feel welcome and ushered us forward to ensure we had a close-up view and felt part of the event.
Chatting to fellow guests and spotting Celebrities, John and I tucked into the selection of sandwiches and array of lovely cakes with the Band of HM Royal Marines, Portsmouth, serenading us in the background. The Band closed the event by Beating the Retreat.
An unforgettable experience and thoroughly enjoyable. It gave us the opportunity to acknowledge and learn more about the people behind the organization that helps so many of our Veterans.
The Not Forgotten aims to transform the lives of veterans and serving military personnel living with injury, illness or isolation by bringing people together, lifting spirits and restoring dignity and confidence. They run a varied year-round programme of social events, day outings, respite and challenge breaks around the UK and aboard, enabling beneficiaries and their families to live a happier, more sociable and more confident life.
Read more about the work and aims of the Not Forgotten organization on their website www.thenotforgotten.org and learn how you can get involved and support their work.
Jenny Morris, National Secretary
Click on images for full size
The day dawned wet and the weather notice in the Palace Gardens warned of thunderstorms was not encouraging. Luckily, we were spared and the clouds cleared.
Promptly at 1500hrs, HRH Princess Ann and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence appeared. They spent two hours ‘working’ the line of Veterans selected to meet them. The stewards and security staff made us all feel welcome and ushered us forward to ensure we had a close-up view and felt part of the event.
Chatting to fellow guests and spotting Celebrities, John and I tucked into the selection of sandwiches and array of lovely cakes with the Band of HM Royal Marines, Portsmouth, serenading us in the background. The Band closed the event by Beating the Retreat.
An unforgettable experience and thoroughly enjoyable. It gave us the opportunity to acknowledge and learn more about the people behind the organization that helps so many of our Veterans.
The Not Forgotten aims to transform the lives of veterans and serving military personnel living with injury, illness or isolation by bringing people together, lifting spirits and restoring dignity and confidence. They run a varied year-round programme of social events, day outings, respite and challenge breaks around the UK and aboard, enabling beneficiaries and their families to live a happier, more sociable and more confident life.
Read more about the work and aims of the Not Forgotten organization on their website www.thenotforgotten.org and learn how you can get involved and support their work.
Jenny Morris, National Secretary
Click on images for full size
