The monarchs, along with prominent figures like Sir David Beckham and Alan Titchmarsh, came together at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where a gnome was christened Charles III in honor of the King. Charles and Camilla were guided through The RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden, where four gnome figurines sat on a shelf bearing personalized name tags: Charles III for the King, Sir David for the ex-England football captain, Alan for the renowned TV gardener Titchmarsh, and Frances after the garden’s creator, Frances Tophill.
The royal couple graced the annual flower exhibition, which relaxed its no-gnome policy for only the second time in history, the first being in 2013 to commemorate the show’s centennial anniversary. While exploring the garden, the Queen, adorned with a bee brooch, expressed her delight to Titchmarsh, commenting on the garden’s natural beauty. Charles, on the other hand, leaned in to smell a newly named rose, dedicated to Sir David, who serves as an ambassador for the King’s Foundation.
The King was introduced to a floral installation crafted by Hamish Powell, a talented floral artist, who incorporated the King’s rose, the Beckham rose, and a rose named after Alan Titchmarsh into his design. The garden’s design aims to spark curiosity nationwide and encourage more people to engage in gardening. An old newspaper clipping of the King’s 1995 Christmas card, featuring the Prince of Wales with his sons, was displayed on the shed wall in the garden, reflecting a heartwarming family moment.
Upon their arrival at the Chelsea Flower Show, the royal couple was warmly welcomed by notable dignitaries, including Keith Weed, president of the RHS, General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, governor of The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, Ben Coleman, MP, and Clare Matterson, RHS Director General. They were accompanied by the Queen’s sister Annabel Elliot, who was seen interacting with Beckham earlier.
In addition to the royal presence, the Princess Royal, Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Duke and Duchess of Gloucester also attended the flower show preview. After exploring the Foundation’s garden with the RHS, Charles and Camilla split up to visit different garden exhibits.
Charles engaged with Dame Judi Dench at the Japanese garden Tokonoma Garden and the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s Garden, exchanging warm greetings and discussing a new Royal Shakespeare Company production. The King also met a specialized cocker spaniel trained to detect plant diseases, showcasing innovative methods to protect crops and farmers from losses.
Meanwhile, the Queen admired various displays, including The Eden Project’s Bring me Sunshine garden, designed by Harry Holding and Alex Michealis. The royal couple, who share a passion for gardening, reunited after exploring their favorite Delphinium flowers, as they were briefed on the diverse attractions available at the show.
Appreciating the garden-themed stalls, the Queen marveled at a vibrant cockerel sculpture and commented on the chilly weather before endorsing an outdoor fire stall. The duo concluded their visit with a private reception, reflecting on the enchanting experience at the Chelsea Flower Show.