COLCHESTER’S MP has described his honour at being invited to Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s garden party.

Will Quince attended the event on Tuesday.

The Queen’s garden parties take place every year and at Tuesday’s event she was accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of York.

The 8,000 invited guests were served tea and cake in the gardens.

The Queen wore a powder blue and pink dress by Stuart Parving and a hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan, and the Duchess of Cambridge wore a pink dress by Alexander McQueen, with matching hat by Juliette Botterill.

Mr Quince said he was delighted to have been invited and also came across Colchester’s Parachute Regiment band playing for the crowds.

In a post of social media he said: “What an honour and privilege to attend HM The Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Such a lovely afternoon and beautiful weather.

“How amazing to find Colchester’s own Para Band at Buckingham Palace entertaining the guests at the garden party. They were fantastic as always and doing Colchester proud.”

Every summer, the Queen hosts three Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace, and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland.

Historically, garden parties took the place of presentation parties attended by debutantes, and have evolved into a way of recognising and rewarding public service.

A network of sponsors is used to invite guests by nominating people to attend.