King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted the Sovereign's Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on May 15, 2024. This event celebrated the United Kingdom's creative industries, highlighting contributions from individuals across film, TV, radio, fashion, and more. Around 4,000 guests, including notable personalities such as Maya Jama, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Sir Lenny Henry, and Louis Theroux, attended the event.
During the gathering, TV presenter Maya Jama greeted the King and Queen, recalling a previous encounter where she unintentionally broke royal protocol by touching His Majesty. King Charles responded humorously, putting her at ease. Jama explained her role on the reality TV show "Love Island," to which King Charles responded with good-natured confusion, referring to a different TV show, "One Born Every Minute."
The event, organized with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), underscored the economic and cultural value of the creative sector to the UK. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer emphasized the industry's growth and its significant contribution to the economy, noting its revenue of £124 billion and export growth of over 200% in the past decade.
The affair, marked by a less traditional and more bohemian atmosphere, also saw actors, directors, presenters, and philanthropists from various fields join in the celebration. The King and Queen mingled with guests, demonstrating an active involvement despite concerns about the King’s health, as he is reportedly undergoing cancer treatment.
The party marked a milestone as it was the first garden party organized in collaboration with a government department, reflecting a more collaborative approach between the monarchy and governmental initiatives.