Revd Kalantha's Presentation at Buckingham Palace!

Kalantha and I wanted to thank you for all your kind words regarding our recent trip to London for Kalantha’s presentation as Honorary Chaplain to HM King Charles III. We had an absolutely fantastic time, and as so many of you have asked for more details about the day - here they are!

We began at the home of the Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal in St James's Palace, where we had lunch and met a few of the other King's Chaplains and their guests. It was very exciting to be allowed past the police barrier into St James’s Palace! Quite unexpectedly for the day, we then went into the Chapel Royal itself to witness a short service in which four new Yeomen took an oath to serve King and country. After that, we met some more of the King's Chaplains in the courtyard over drinks and were then walked over from St James's Palace to Buckingham Palace.

Around 8000 people were in attendance on the day, so it was a bit of a scrum to get through the gates – we were grateful to have been escorted by the Sub-Dean and shown where to go! As soon as we got into the garden, we were whisked up the steps of the Royal Terrace to receive instructions and timings from some other important people, although unfortunately I can't remember their titles – we met a lot of people on that day! One other person was becoming a new King's Chaplain at that garden party, Revd Philip Musindi (Vicar of St Andrew’s, Broadstairs) and it was really lovely to spend the day with him and his daughter.

Although we were expecting to see King Charles and Queen Camilla, apparently they only attend two out of the three yearly garden parties and instead we were to be presented to the Prince and Princess of Wales. As it turns out, we were the first two people in the line-up of around 50-100 people waiting to meet William and Catherine. Fight or flight did feel like it was going to majorly kick in as we waited for the Royals to arrive, in position on the lawn right at the bottom of the steps. We chatted with the Lord Chamberlain whilst thousands of people watched on! It was entirely surreal. Finally, the Royals walked out onto the Terrace and the brass bands struck up the National Anthem.

William and Catherine then descended the steps and spoke first to Kalantha, and then to me. It was a good job I had Googled how to curtsey, because when they shook my hand my mind went a bit blank! They were both very lovely and asked a few questions about work (how long we had been in post, do we have to travel far, are we in a busy season?) to which I can barely remember how I answered! They're both very tall, beautiful and graceful and it felt like interacting with a whole other species!!

The moment passed very quickly and afterwards we were able to enjoy a wander around the lake, although by this point we were regretting our choice of footwear - heels! Next up was taking tea in the Royal Tea Tent. This was pretty exclusive, and something only the new Chaplains and their guests are invited to enjoy - Kalantha will be able to go back to the garden parties each year but will then use the main tea tent. We did feel slightly like zoo animals as crowds of people watched around the edges of the tent for the Royals to arrive at it. Eventually they did, and they took tea in a private section of the tent close to us before coming across and mingling with folk. We met and spoke with the Secretary of State for Wales (and her mother!), and there were a lot of VIPs in the Royal Tea Tent from the UK and abroad.

And that was the end of the day! The garden parties last for two hours but the time went very quickly. It was a lot more structured and less relaxed than I expected, but the whole event was a wonderful experience for which I am so grateful to have been able to attend and I am very proud of Kalantha for this incredible achievement!

Kalantha wanted to add: "Lorna and I had an amazing, and somewhat surreal, time at the Palace. Everyone was extremely welcoming and kind, and it was a great honour to be presented to the Prince and Princess of Wales. It was also fascinating to see inside the Chapel Royal and to see 5 new "Beefeaters" being sworn in. I was delighted to have Lorna alongside to represent everyone in our benefice, whose support means so much."

An official video of the event was taken and can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/live/nl49CCwPhJE?si=mfv7LVs4-K4iVhpy

Once again, thank you all for your support, prayers, thoughts and kindness!

Lorna Boniface

Benefice Administrator