Five representatives of the Regina Symphony Orchestra left the Queen City behind for&nbsp;Buckingham Palace.&nbsp;

They were invited to attend a celebration for Prince Charles and his charitable work, as well as his upcoming&nbsp;70th&nbsp;birthday in November.&nbsp;

The Prince of Wales became an RSO Royal Patron 

"It was terrific," said&nbsp;music director&nbsp;Gordon&nbsp;Gerrard. "I'm not so used to parties on such a scale."

Gerrard was accompanied by&nbsp;RSO&nbsp;Sponsors Elmer Brenner and&nbsp;Roberta&nbsp;McKay,&nbsp;board chair&nbsp;Kama&nbsp;Leier&nbsp;and executive director Tanya&nbsp;Derksen.&nbsp;

Prince Harry and Meghan make 1st official appearance as married couple

Prince Harry pays tribute to victims of the Manchester Arena bombing in his remarks at a garden party honouring his father, Prince Charles.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, gestures as she attends a garden party at Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday.  The event is part of the celebrations to mark the 70th birthday of Prince Charles, which will actually be in November.   

Britain Royals

Prince Harry and Meghan attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The event, part of celebrations to mark Prince Charles's upcoming 70th birthday in November, marked the couple's first official public appearance together since their wedding on Saturday.  

Tuesday's event&nbsp;also marked&nbsp;the first official appearance of Charles' son Prince Harry and Meghan — now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex — as a married couple.&nbsp;

Harry delivered a speech about his dad at the party.&nbsp;

"It was nice to hear him and get his perspective on the great work that his father has done and nice for us to see those people real and in the flesh actually," Gerrard said.&nbsp;

Humility key to RSO maestro's 1st season success

Gordon Gerrard joined CBC Radio's Saskatchewan Weekend on Sunday to look back on his first season as the Regina Symphony Orchesta's musical director.

The weekend's performances were the first with new music director Gordon Gerrard. 

Messiah performance Dec. 11

Gerrard says a humble approach is key to his first season success as RSO musical director.

Regina Symphony Orchestra invites classical newcomers to outdoor performance

Music director Gordon Gerrard promises a different environment for Symphony Under the Sky that takes the presumed "stuffiness" out of classical music.

Guest artists will go on before the orchestra, including Belle Plaine and Terrance Littletent.

Symphony Under the Sky in Regina 2016

Regina Symphony Orchestra announces tour to Sask. First Nations with Buffy Sainte-Marie

The Regina Symphony Orchestra is going on the road with Buffy Sainte-Marie in hopes of reaching new audiences in Saskatchewan.

The Regina Symphony Orchestra will host a concert with Buffy Sainte-Marie in October, followed up by a tour to First Nations communities in Southern Saskatchewan in the spring. 

Buffy Sainte-Marie poster

Derksen&nbsp;agreed and said one of the highlights of the party for her was being able to stand on the terrace.&nbsp;

"It meant I was about five feet away from Prince Harry as he gave his speech, so that was kind of cool to see him so up close and almost personal," she said, noting the speech was focused on his father rather than his recent wedding.&nbsp;

Gerrard said there were thousands of people in attendance at the garden party.&nbsp;

"Many in some very colourful costumes, and all the hats that you could ever imagine, as well as tea&nbsp;and cucumber sandwiches."&nbsp;

He said the event itself was special, but it was equally as special to be recognized as an organization in such a way.&nbsp;

"It's certainly an occasion that I'll remember for the rest of my life," Gerrard added.

Members of the Regina Symphony Orchestra flew to London for Prince Charles' 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration. 

RSO representatives attend Prince Charles' garden party, see colourful costumes and hats

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