Government House has announced that the Queen’s Birthday Party, a traditional feature of the annual calendar, will be opened up to a far wider range of the community than in recent years.

“This is an occasion which is marked not just in Bermuda but right across the realm of the United Kingdom and in many countries around the world,” Governor George Fergusson said. “I hope that anyone who would like to attend the Queen’s Birthday Party at Government House will consider applying to come.

“Sadly, the numbers can’t be unlimited but we shall make a good proportion of invitations available to those applying. By tradition, a number of senior public officers and members of the Houses of the Legislature and Judiciary are invited. This will be an occasion to enjoy the gardens of Government House, and the Band of the Bermuda Regiment.”

The Garden Party for the Queen’s official birthday will be held at Government House on June 12 between 6pm and 8pm. Government House has confirmed that anyone interested in attending should visit its website on goo.gl/Uqklst to download the relevant application form.

Otherwise, forms can be requested by post from: the Social Secretary, Government House, 11 Langton Hill, Pembroke HM13. The completed application form should be returned to Government House, either by post or by e-mail to govhsesocialsec@gov.bm by May 15. Names will be selected by random draw from the applications received by the cut-off date. Successful applicants will be notified during the week beginning May 18.

Traditionally, probably into the 1960s, invitations were given to, among others, residents and visitors, who left business cards at Government House and signed its visitors’ book. This did not necessarily produce a representative group of attendees. In recent decades, a wider group has been invited, including people who are prominent in many fields. People who have attended in past years, as well as those who have never attended, will be very welcome to apply.

Those who are selected and then find that they cannot attend, will not be permitted to transfer their invitations.

Please note that applicants must be 18 years or older. For more information, contact Crystal Swan at 292-3600.