Stowmarket teenager volunteers at King's garden party

George Burton, from the 1st Mid-Suffolk Boys' Brigade in Stowmarket, was one of 12 members from the national Christian youth organisation to attend the royal event in London on Wednesday.

The Sovereign’s Garden Party was the first Buckingham Palace garden party of 2024 and was attended by King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and other senior royals.

The 19-year-old said: "It has been a great honour to help out at this wonderful event. I spoke to Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Edward shook my hand.

"It was great to be able to help people today and I spoke to some really interesting people, including the Head of The British Transport Police."

8,000 guests attended the garden party, hosted at the royal residence in London.

The King has returned to some public appearances, following a break from public-facing duties for cancer treatment.

The King appeared in good spirits, chatting and laughing with guests. 

The Boys’ Brigade is the largest Christian uniformed youth group in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

Its Stowmarket branch, founded in 1891, offers activities for boys and girls from ages five to 17.

The King was announced as the national organisation’s patron earlier this month.

Jonathan Eales, chief executive of The Boys’ Brigade, said on the appointment: “Having already been a great supporter of our work and more widely of uniformed youth organisations, we are incredibly proud and honoured that The King is our new Patron.

“Royal patronage provides publicity and recognition for what we do in communities across the country and the hard work and dedication of our volunteer leaders.”