My uncle works for a state international division. He meets all sorts of famous political people. Last week, he and my aunt were invited to attend one of Queen Elizabeth's Garden Parties. My aunt told us all about it, and while they didn't get to actually meet or shake hands with Queen Elizabeth, (or take pictures as cameras were forbidden), they did get to walk through the gates of Buckingham Palace, walk through the palace itself, and stroll around taking tea on the back lawn of the palace. I cannot tell you how jealous I was listening to the story. But I am so thrilled that my relatives got to do this.

The invitation didn't look as fancy as one would think, but I guess you don't really need much more than the gold embossed ER logo at the top. The invitation came with colored admittance cards, but they had to be surrendered at the door. The color of the card indicated which tent you got to enter for tea. The royal tent, the diplomatic tent, or the large tent for all the peons like my aunt and uncle. While they may be peons, they totally outrank me now. Attending a garden party with the Queen. I told my aunt and uncle that the next time the British Consulate sends them a "thank you", they should mention that it is our cultural custom for the entire extended family to be offered the thank you gift. :)