Today, Queen Camilla and King Charles graced the Chelsea Flower Show with their presence, paying homage to the late Queen and commemorating her remarkable 70-year reign. Queen Camilla, aged 75, emanated radiance in a splendid floral frock as she arrived at the renowned Great Spring Show, accompanied by her 74-year-old husband, who exuded sophistication in a navy suit. The exquisite silk dress, crafted by Fiona Clare, harmoniously embraced the event’s theme, showcasing verdant green and white florals against a backdrop of deep, midnight blue.
Completing her ensemble, Queen Camilla adorned pearl drop earrings, while opting for comfortable wedge heels to embark on an extensive afternoon exploration of meticulously curated gardens. In addition to their visit, King Charles and Queen Camilla had the honor of presenting the esteemed Elizabeth Medal of Honour, an accolade limited to a maximum of 70 recipients at any given time.
In recognition of the late Queen’s remarkable reign and her significant contributions to the world of horticulture, the Royal Horticultural Society Council introduced the prestigious Elizabeth Medal of Honour. This distinguished award allows the council to pay tribute to the influential figures in the gardening community.
During their visit, King Charles and Queen Camilla had the privilege of presenting the inaugural medals in the captivating “Garden of Royal Reflection and Celebration.” Recipients of this esteemed honor included renowned garden designer Piet Oudolf, Baroness Janet Fookes, a prominent advocate for horticulture in Parliament, and environmental champion Judy Ling Wong.
Expressing gratitude for Queen Elizabeth’s unwavering support as the patron of the Royal Horticultural Society, RHS President Keith Weed remarked, “The Royal Horticultural Society was exceptionally fortunate to have Her Majesty as our patron throughout her reign. This award commemorates not only her glorious reign but also the tremendous efforts she made to elevate the prominence of UK horticulture on both national and international platforms, through her visits to RHS Chelsea Flower Show and her broader contributions.”
Prior to the medal presentation, King Charles and Queen Camilla embarked on separate tours, immersing themselves in the splendor of various gardens. During his exploration, the King shared his quest to find replacement plants for those devoured by rabbits at Highgrove. Meanwhile, the Queen couldn’t resist indulging in an impromptu visit to a Chelsea garden, where she joyfully tested out its swing.
In a delightful interlude, Camilla enthusiastically ventured into the London Square Community Garden, ingeniously designed by James Smith to foster connection, relaxation, and communal dining amidst nature. Her Majesty was captivated by the stunning flowers and the communal table adorned with inset chess and drought boards, accompanied by upcycled chairs created by the talented Jay Blades from The Repair Shop, who had the honor of attending the coronation as a guest.
Queen Camilla effortlessly exuded elegance in her stunning floral dress during her visit to the Chelsea Flower Show. In addition to her graceful presence, Their Majesties had the pleasure of meeting a newlywed gay couple, garden designer Manoj Malde, aged 55, and his husband, garden maintenance expert Clive Gillmore, aged 58. The couple had just celebrated their marriage at the RHS and Eastern Eye Garden of Unity, masterfully designed by Mr. Malde.
King Charles, with a warm smile, suggested that the jubilant pair should be out celebrating, expressing his congratulations. “You probably should be dashing off somewhere. Well done,” he remarked, spreading joy and camaraderie.
The Chelsea Flower Show also welcomed the attendance of other distinguished royals, including Princess Alexandra. Adding to the surprise appearances, the Princess of Wales shared words of wisdom with children, emphasizing the value of hard work as a member of the Royal Family, delighting all with her presence.
Meanwhile, Kate, aged 41, radiated in a silk ME+EM shirt dress, a garment previously worn by her mother, Carole. The event, organized by the Royal Horticultural Society, witnessed Kate’s unannounced arrival. Complementing her ensemble, she chose her beloved Castaner Carina Espadrille wedges, a staple for warmer engagements.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show was a magnificent sight this year, with an abundance of flowers stretching as far as the eye could see. Amidst the floral extravaganza, a curious schoolchild had a burning question for the Princess of Wales, Kate, as she graced the event. “Do you make the law?” the child asked. With a smile, Kate gently replied, “No, the Prime Minister makes the laws.”
Another inquisitive child inquired about her experience as a member of the royal family. Kate shared her perspective, stating, “You have to work hard, but you know the best thing about it is meeting children like you.” Demonstrating her natural connection with youngsters, the mother-of-three joined school pupils at the first-ever Children’s Picnic, an enchanting addition to the event. It was here that she revealed why she’s not allowed to write her name down and highlighted the joy she finds in meeting children as one of the best aspects of her royal role.
During her visit, Kate engaged with young participants from ten schools involved in the RHS Campaign for School Gardening. They sat down together for a meal before embarking on visits to three of this year’s remarkable Show Gardens. Embracing the joyous spirit of exploration, they partook in a bug hunt, collaborated on planning a home-grown meal, and discovered the profound impact gardens can have on well-being—an important cause that the princess has championed for several years.
This marked Kate’s first visit to the prestigious horticultural show since 2019, and her enthusiasm was palpable. Alongside the children, she immersed herself in the captivating landscape of The Royal Entomological Society Garden. Designed by Tom Massey, a gold medal winner at RHS Chelsea, the garden provided an “insect eye view” of the surroundings. An outdoor lab, intricately built into a hillside, housed microscopes connected to a movable projector screen, allowing for the magnification and study of insects and bugs. Inspired by the compound eye of insects, the lab featured permeable modules designed to accommodate their entry.
Throughout the day, Kate’s radiant smile accompanied her interactions with the children. When asked about her favorite color, she playfully encouraged them to guess, beaming as they correctly responded with “green.” The Chelsea Flower Show held a special place in Kate’s heart, as she had attended the event on multiple occasions in the past. She acknowledged its role in supporting and showcasing the incredible work being done in the country while ensuring the well-being of everyone involved.
As part of their visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Princess Kate and the children also explored The Samaritans Listening Garden, a purposefully designed space for individuals to share their struggles in a safe environment. Created by Darren Hawkes, the garden symbolizes an emotional journey, transitioning from chaos and overwhelm to a serene and tranquil area. Sculptural oak seats are placed strategically to facilitate conversations, listening, and reflection.
Certain elements of The Samaritans Listening Garden will find a permanent home at Samaritans in Truro, while additional plants will be sent to other branches of the charity. The princess and the children also had the opportunity to experience The Savills Garden’s outdoor kitchen, a remarkable fusion of ornamental and edible plants designed by Mark Gregory, a gold medal winner at RHS Chelsea. The picnic at the event aimed to introduce gardening and nature into the lives of more children, a cause that Kate has been deeply passionate about for several years.
Arriving at the Chelsea Flower Show in a pink dress by ME+EM, Kate joined children from St Augustine’s Primary School in Hammersmith, sitting on a picnic blanket with them. She eagerly asked if any of the children were avid gardeners and if they had the chance to plant things at school. Engaging in a lively discussion, the children shared their experiences of growing vegetables and herbs. Kate mentioned a plant with dark leaves that smells like chocolate, recalling how her grandmother had shown it to her when she was young.
When informed that the pupils were growing sunflowers, Kate expressed her amazement at their rapid growth and shared that her son, Louis, was cultivating broad beans at school, which also exhibit quick growth like sunflowers. Emphasizing the benefits of spending time outdoors, the future queen extolled the positive impact it has on both our bodies and minds.
Continuing her interactions, Kate joined another group from Alec Reed Primary School in Northolt to discuss flowers and plants. She admitted her struggle with remembering the Latin names of various plants. In the Samaritans garden, the princess engaged with pupils from St George’s Church of England Primary School in Wandsworth and Holy Trinity Church of England School in Chelsea. Noticing small rocks suspended from a pergola over the walkway, Kate acknowledged that they could induce feelings of nervousness and anxiety. She then drew attention to the seating area under a tree, describing it as a calm and secure space.
In the Royal Entomological Society’s garden, Kate joined designer Tom Massey and children from St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Islington and Glenbrook Primary School in Brixton. Together, they identified bugs and beetles that had entered through the permeable modules in the wall, fostering a sense of exploration and learning.
During the visit to the Royal Entomological Society’s garden, Princess Kate shared with the young visitors that bees had already started to visit the garden after just three weeks.
The children, excited by their encounter with the princess, requested autographs on their sketches. However, Kate informed them that she couldn’t write her name, but she could draw. She graciously sketched a flower for Ruby Mann, aged seven, a tree for another girl, and a pond surrounded by plants for a third child.
When questioned again about her name, Kate clarified that her name is Catherine and explained that she is not permitted to write her signature due to certain rules.
In an attempt to draw a palm tree, Kate mentioned that her children are fond of palm trees, although she humorously noted that her drawing resembled more of a Holly tree.
