Royals 27,000 Cups of Tea Served! Will and Kate Join the Queen for the First Royal Garden Party of the Season Garden party season has arrived! By Erin Hill Erin Hill Twitter Senior News Editor, PEOPLE People Editorial Guidelines Published on May 16, 2017 11:37 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: The Royal Family/Twitter Garden party season has arrived! Prince William and Princess Kate joined Queen Elizabeth for the first royal garden party of the season on Tuesday — and they were accompanied by more than 8,000 guests! Each year, the Queen hosts three garden parties on the grounds of Buckingham Palace and one in Holyroodhouse in Scotland. In addition to Tuesday’s party, the other palace parties will take place on May 23 and June 1. According to the palace, around 27,000 cups of tea are served and 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed during the event. Victoria Jones - WPA Pool /Getty Guests also adhere to a dress code. Gentleman wear morning dress or lounge suits, while women wear day dresses, typically accessorized with hats or fascinators. WPA Pool /Getty Kate looked lovely in a coat dress rewear by Scottish designer Christopher Kane. The fitted light blue satin silk design features a sleek belt and peak lapels. She topped it off with a matching hat from John Lock and Co. Garden parties have been held at Buckingham Palace since the 1860s as a way to recognize and reward public service.