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Harrogate entrepreneur invited to Royal garden party

Thursday, 9 May 2024 11:08

Valentina Hynes and her husband Stephen at Buckingham Palace.

A Harrogate entrepreneur has enjoyed a once-in-a lifetime experience after attending the first Royal garden party of the year.

Valentina Hynes, the CEO of community interest company SVH Inc CIC, was among a select number of people who attended the prestigious event at Buckingham Palace yesterday (Wednesday).

The garden parties being held this year will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth and this was the first for King Charles since he announced his cancer diagnosis in February.

Mrs Hynes was invited by the Lord Chamberline following her nomination by the Royal Commonwealth Society of which she has been an Associate Fellow since 2015.

Speaking about the Royal occasion Mrs Hynes, who attended with her husband Stephen, said:

“It was such a special and unique day, and I am very proud to have been invited and for my work to be recognised.

“As a specialist in wellbeing and happiness at work, I see myself as a connector who helps people build bridges from diversity adversity to inclusion, from poor mental health to happiness, and disengagement to engagement.

"This for me was a wonderful opportunity to meet amazing people from all different walks of life, but be united in the same excitement of the occasion and enjoy tea ‘fit for a King’."

The monarch was joined by Queen Camilla and other senior royals, including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

The King and the royal party arrived on the terrace at 4pm and stood for the National Anthem played by one of the military bands in attendance, before being escorted by the Yeoman of the Guard down to the lawn and awaiting guests.

The King will host two further summer garden parties this season - on 21st May at Buckingham Palace and at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on 2nd July.

The parties have become a way of recognising and awarding public and community service.

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