24 Jun 2026
Chantel Gell (a Recovery Navigator in East Kent), shares her proud experience of attending one of this year's Garden Parties.
On 10 May, Chantel and her Forward Trust colleague, Jonathan 'Jon' Clarke, (a Recovery Champion, Southend STARS) received special invitations to attend Buckingham Palace.
These special events by The Royal Family, recognise and celebrate community impact. This event had the added honour of meeting HRH The Princess of Wales, Royal Patron of The Forward Trust.
Chantel was kind enough to write a short blog about her once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Buckingham Palace garden party, a chance graciously provided by the Forward Trust. Naturally, I invited my mum, who has been my unwavering support throughout my struggles with addiction since I was 17. Having her by my side on such a special day was truly amazing.
As we made our way to the palace, I was overwhelmed by the sight of everyone dressed in their elegant hats and dresses, with the men looking dapper in their top hats. The atmosphere was electric, especially knowing that we would soon be introduced to the Princess of Wales, Our future Queen. We were positioned as the second group in line, giving us a perfect view of the stunning gardens and the expansive crowd of over 8,000 guests—an overwhelming sight that reminded me of how far I’ve come. Just five years ago, I was at my lowest point, battling alcoholism, and now here I was at such a prestigious event.
As the day progressed, we received our instructions on where to stand as the princess approached us. My nerves kicked in, and I suddenly went blank unsure of what to say or how to address her. Thankfully, my mum encouraged me to just be myself. When the moment arrived, Kate walked up to me, shook my hand, and greeted me with a warm smile, calling me by my name. I was in awe of her beauty and grace.
During our conversation, I shared my journey with the Forward Trust, explaining how I struggled with addiction from the age of 17 until I was 51. I recounted how the day programme in Dover changed my life, emphasizing the importance of understanding my emotions and feelings. I spoke about the friendships I’ve formed in recovery and my desire to give back, to share my experiences and help others who might be struggling. The Princess listened intently and encouraged me to keep up the hard work, shaking my hand again as our conversation came to a close.
After she spoke with everyone, we took a moment to enjoy tea, cucumber sandwiches, and delightful cakes, surrounded by amazing people who joined our table. The camaraderie and conversations were enriching, making the day even more special.
We strolled around the garden, taking in the beautiful sights, including the bands playing music and the picturesque lake. I spotted people enjoying ice cream and couldn’t resist the temptation, so we found some for ourselves, savouring the moment together.
One of the highlights was a magnificent tree that captured my heart (I do like a tree!) Its strong, solid branches symbolise resilience, mirroring my journey. As I stood beneath it, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this lifetime opportunity, especially being able to share it with my mum.
I am immensely thankful to The Forward Trust for recognizing my efforts and providing me with this remarkable experience. It’s moments like these that remind me that life continues to get better and better.
Image description: Chantel (in pink) and Jon (wearing a black suit) outside Buckingham Palace gates ahead of attending the Royal Garden Party event (15 May)
