King Charles and Queen Camilla delighted royal fans with their traditional visit to the Chelsea Flower Show yesterday.
The magnificent annual display of Britain’s gardening prowess has long been a fixture on the royal calendar.
The king was made patron of the Royal Horticultural Society earlier this month, more than 70 years after his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, took up the role when she became monarch.
First created in 1913, the Chelsea Flower Show, which takes place in the grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital in LondonIt has become one of the world’s largest showcases of horticultural excellence and attracts visitors from all over the world.
But visits from members of the Royal Family are almost as common as plants, as these images show.
King Charles and Queen Camilla walk with Keith Weed (left), President of the Royal Horticultural Society at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2023.
Queen Elizabeth, shortly after her accession, visits the Chelsea Flower Show in 1952.
Kate Middleton with students at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2023
The Princess of Wales chats to schoolchildren at the first Chelsea Flower Show children’s picnic in 2023
The Princess of Wales has a deep conversation with a young student at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2023
Queen Mary stops at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1920 to pet a friendly dog
Queen Mary points out an exhibition at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1950
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, speaking to the architect of a miniature waterfall built in one of the display gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1950.
A gardener putting the finishing touches to a large ER II emblem in a garden by William Wood & Son in May 1953, just days before the coronation.
Queen Elizabeth II enjoys the view as the Duke of Edinburgh talks to the Hon David Bowes-Lyon during a visit to a rock garden in 1958.
The Queen photographed eating a strawberry in 1977, the year of her successful Silver Wedding.
Queen Elizabeth II on a tour of the Chelsea Flower Show in May 1960
French florist Louisette Meilland gives Princess Margaret a rose to smell in 1968. The flower is named after the queen’s sister.
The Queen Mother attends the Chelsea Flower Show in 1956
The Queen Mother visiting the Daily Express Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1978
Diana, Princess of Wales admiring plants at the Chelsea Flower Show in May 1984
Princess Michael of Kent made an appearance at the 1993 Chelsea Flower Show.
The Queen smiles as she is shown an exhibition at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2004.
Queen Elizabeth II captivates with her purple dress at the Chelsea Flower Show 2006
The late Queen visits Catherine’s Back To Nature exhibition, as Prince William looks on in 2019.
Queen Elizabeth II presented her son, Prince Charles, a keen gardener, with the Royal Horticultural Society’s Victoria Medal of Honor during a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2009.
King Charles, then Prince of Wales, smells a Highgrove rose during the Chelsea Flower Show in 2009.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, smelling some of the flowers on display in 2006
Princess Beatrice received this rose at the 2011 fair.
King Charles and Queen Camilla enjoy the steps in 2007
Queen Camilla attended the day before the annual Chelsea Flower Show in May 2006.
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank walk hand in hand in May 2016
A flower display celebrates Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012
Kate Middleton was one of the exhibitors in 2019. Here, experts along with Andree Davies and Adam White visit her garden.
The late Queen Elizabeth II and the current Prince and Princess of Wales in 2019
Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in 2022 which celebrated the Platinum Jubilee. This was the last Chelsea Flower Show she would attend before her death in September.
Edward and Sophie take a tour of The Chelsea Flower Show in 2022
Prince Edward and Sofia’s visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in September 2021. It was delayed from its usual date in spring due to the pandemic.
Lady Helen Taylor, daughter of the Duke of Kent, arrives at the fair in 2007.
King Charles and Queen Camilla speak to a couple who married at the Eastern Eye Garde of Unity during the Chelsea Flower Show in 2023.
