The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry hosted a Buckingham Palace tea party for children of Armed Forces men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty.

850 children and teenagers joined the royals for a Party at the Palace on Saturday (13 May) afternoon, as the Queen's sprawling gardens were transformed into an open-air festival.

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Wearing a cream ensemble by Chloe, Kate joined in the fun and games as the children had their faces painted. The mother-of-two took time to speak with the children individually and couldn't hide her delight as she joined them in launching water balloons.

Prince Harry tried his hand at plate spinning as he chatted to a young boy dressed in a spiderman outfit.

And the royals weren't afraid to show off some moves as they joined children's entertainers Sharky and George for an impromptu dance performance on top of the steps of Buckingham palace.

The children, who were accompanied by a surviving parent or guardian, were treated to live performances from entertainers including ventriloquist Nina Conti, daughter of actor Tom Conti, singer Jess Glynne and Britain's Got Talent-winning magician Lance Corporal Richard Jones.

The afternoon's entertainment culminated in the dramatic entrance of RAF parashooters who landed in the garden Mail Online reports.

Kensington Palace said: "Their Royal Highnesses have arranged the event as a way to acknowledge and honour the fact that a number of young children have had to come to terms with the loss of someone very close to them at a young age, having lost a parent in armed service to the country."

Addressing the gathering Prince Harry told the crowd: "We're here to celebrate you."

Kate Middleton Prince William Prince Harry