Princess Anne steps in as Kate misses King Charles' garden party

The gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse became the setting for one of the monarchy's most cherished traditions as King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed thousands of guests to the annual Garden Party on June 30.

Joining Their Majesties were the Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh, who spent the afternoon meeting guests from across Scotland in recognition of their dedication to local communities.

At one point during the event, Princess Anne in her red floral outfit was seen deep in conversation with the Duke of Edinburgh and Sir Tony Burt as they mingled with attendees across the palace grounds.

Although many guests arrived prepared for heavy showers, the weather remained kind, allowing the celebrations to unfold across the historic gardens.

Among those invited was 17-year-old Isla Grist from Inverness, who lives with the rare genetic condition Epidermolysis bullosa, often known as butterfly skin.

Attending alongside former Scotland captain Graeme Souness on behalf of the charity Debra UK, Isla had the chance to speak with the King about the cause close to her heart.

Recalling their exchange, she revealed that King Charles was already well informed about the charity's work and took a genuine interest in the campaign.

Describing the experience as "a great honour," Isla admitted she felt a little nervous before meeting the monarch but left delighted by the memorable encounter.