The Queen opens Buckingham Palace gardens for picnics for first time We’re sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss By William Booth and Karla Adam July 9, 2021 — 6.04am Normal text size Advertisement London: For the first time in her nearly 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II is allowing the people to picnic on her front lawn. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the courtiers say. And the grass? It really is a little greener on the other side. “The boss,” as the staff openly call the monarch, think the people need this bit of fresh air after a wretched year: a scone with jam and cream, a cup of tea in an otherworldly oasis.