Taking tea in royal company this week were the Board of Deputies education development manager Sara Perlmutter and communications officer Simon Round.

Every year, the Board gets a couple of invitations to one of the Queen's garden parties at Buckingham Palace. "Sara and I were the lucky recipients for this one," said Round.

Although declining a chance to wear national costume, as offered on the invitation, they were gratified to see that "smoked salmon and cream cheese were served - clearly in our honour."