Inside King Charles's garden parties where guests consume 27,000 cups of tea

By Lauren Welch, Royal Reporter based in London

King Charles stepped out at Buckingham Palace today (Image: GETTY)

King Charles's annual garden parties at Buckingham Palace made a return earlier today, the first one of the season.

Traditionally, more than 30,000 guests spend a relaxed afternoon in the scenic grounds of the official London-based royal residence.

According to the Royal Family's official website, the parties are an "important way for His Majesty to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life".

As reported previously by HELLO!, the annual garden parties host around 8,000 people by invite-only - with around 27,000 cups of tea being served to those in attendance.

Confirmed previously by the Royal Family's website, around 20,000 sandwiches are consumed and 20,000 slices of cake enjoyed by guests.

At Buckingham Palace today, the King was joined by approximately 8,000 guests.

Dressed in a top hat and tails, the monarch laughed and chatted with attendees - just one day after confirming that he would not be meeting with Prince Harry.

The Duke of Sussex arrived in the UK on Tuesday ahead of his appearance at St Paul's Cathedral to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

The King was joined by Queen Camilla today, as well as Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

King Charles was joined by Queen Camilla today (Image: GETTY)

Appearing at his second public-facing engagement since his diagnosis back in February, the King appeared relaxed as he spent time chatting with the guests,

The monarch, who is still undergoing cancer treatment, was pictured removing his top hat and waving it in the air as a crowd greeted him by singing the national anthem.

One person in attendance told the monarch that they'd been "dreaming of this all my life".

Another said that they were glad to see the King "looking so much better". The King, clearly touched, responded: "I’m not doing badly."

King Charles was joined by 8,000 guests today (Image: Getty)

Not joining his father at Buckingham Palace, Prince William conducted an investiture at Windsor Castle earlier in the day on Wednesday.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have typically joined fellow royals at the garden parties, but the Princess was also absent today as she continues chemotherapy.

The King was also joined by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester at Buckingham Palace today.