No wallflower! Princess Anne looks elegant in a lilac floral outfit as she honours veterans at the second Buckingham Palace Garden Party of the summer

• Princess Anne, 71, hosted a garden party at Buckingham Palace on Thursday alongside her husband 
• Royals stepped in for the Queen at the second event of the summer, which has returned after two year break 
• Guests from military organisations were honoured at the annual event held in the gardens of the residence 
• The Not Forgotten Association patron recycled her floral overcoat with lilac skirt 
• The Queen will not attend any of the four garden parties, and instead other royals will attend for her 

Princess Anne was elegant in a floral outfit as she hosted a garden party for soldiers and veterans at Buckingham Palace on Thursday - after the monarch pulled out due to mobility issues.

The Princess Royal, 71, met with guests at the annual event that honours people from 120 military organisations in her role as patron of The Not Forgotten Association.

She was joined by her second husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, who is a is a retired Royal Navy officer.

Anne looked elegant in the lilac and green overcoat with a matching purple skirt, previously worn for a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2015.

Traditionally, Her Majesty hosts three Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace, and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland, with the events having evolved into a way of recognising and rewarding public service.

However it was announced last week the monarch would will miss this year's Buckingham Palace Garden Parties.

The royal refreshed the look by coordinating her skirt with a striking lilac hat and black accessories to match her heels.

Despite the weather having improved since yesterday's garden party at Buckingham Palace, Anne continued to wear seemingly thick navy gloves.

Sir Timothy Laurence looked equally polished in a navy suit with a light blue shirt and red print tie. 

Anne looked delighted to speak with veterans and guests at the annual event, having been patron of the Not Forgotten Association since 2000.

The Not Forgotten Association provides entertainment, leisure and recreation for the serving wounded, injured or sick and for ex-service men and women with disabilities. 

Princess Mary was the first royal patron of the charitable organisation followed by the Duchess of Kent.

The royal family have continued to hold an annual garden party to honour servicemen since it was first approved by King George V and Queen Mary.

Today, attendees were given an opportunity to enjoy traditional tea and cake in addition to exploring the Buckingham Palace Garden. 

Princess Anne was joined by beneficiaries of all ages and from all services .

The Queen traditionally hosts three Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace, and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland, with the events having evolved into a way of recognising and rewarding public service.

However it was announced last week the monarch would will miss this year's Buckingham Palace events.

Other royals have been asked to represent the 96-year-old monarch this year because she would have had to stand for more than an hour and move down the lines greeting people.

The head of state, who has been suffering from mobility and health issues in recent months, will not be at the events which are taking place for the first time since 2019.

Speaking of the decision, which was announced last week, royal expert Angela Levin said: 'It's a good decision for the Queen not to attend garden parties as there would be too much standing. What a shame though.'

As for the royal Garden Parties, normally there are up to three at Buckingham Palace each summer, as well as another at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.  

The annual Buckingham Palace garden parties, started in the 1860s by Queen Victoria, are a way of recognising and rewarding public service and see people from all walks of life enjoy high tea on the lawn to the sounds of a military band.

Every year, the Queen invites 30,000 people to attend the parties and in 2018, 8,000 guests attended the first soiree of the season. 

After the past two years saw the parties cancelled because of the pandemic, royal aides announced this morning that they would return this summer.

For the occasion men are asked to wear morning dress or lounge suits while women are invited to wear a 'day dress, usually with hats or fascinators'. 

The three events at Buckingham Palace will take place on the next three Wednesdays of this month – May 11, 18 and 25. The Holyroodhouse party will be on June 29.

The garden parties serve are an important way for the royals to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community.

At each Garden Party, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed.

The garden party tradition was started in the 1860s by Queen Victoria, who used to call them 'breakfasts'.

The parties will take place in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year and held for guests in recognition of their positive contributions to communities across Britain. 

Princess Anne attended yesterday's garden party alongside the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The 71-year-old braved the rain in an elegant red ensemble for the outing, which she paired with a khaki green fascinator and matching umbrella. 

She is set to be busy with engagements including the opening of Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust's Imaging Centre at Royal Brompton Hospital as well as the opening of the Sustainability in UK Textiles Conference at Drapers' Hall in London.