disappointment sucks

So a few months ago I had a phone call saying I'd been nominated for an invitation to the queen's garden party and needed to pick my guest. As I was surprised that the person had nominated me and not my mother I picked her. I'd been really chuffed that I'd been invited because I tend to work myself to the bone for other and wonder from time to time whether people notice. 

Today, I was at the palace. I deliberately stayed at home instead of going into work to get ready properly. I bought a hat (admittedly quite cheaply) I put on my best dress and headed into Newham to be picked up by the mayor's car and head off to Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately we were going with one of the world's most boring people, but that can't be helped. 

I got to the palace and had a nice wander around the gardens, the military bands were doing a good job. The food was all nice. The palace wasn't at all that amazing, but then I had be at the Windsor Castle state apartments a little while ago and they far outstrip Buckingham palace. 

Then, it was the build up for the the Queen to arrive. This was when I noticed the enclosed 'royal tea tent'. It appeared there was a hierarchical system with the guests. A friend of mine appeared to be in the royal enclosure. Unsurprisingly as she's the Queen's chaplain, but I just feel it plain wrong that there is a hierarchy of guests. 

I'm angry that I was invited to the palace as an acknowledgment of my hard work only for feel like I was one of 'the little people'.