Celebrities turned out in force for the Chelsea Flower Show preview day today as the event prepares to launch its first ever autumn edition after the traditional spring event was delayed due to Covid.
The show, which usually takes place in May, was postponed to autumn for the first time in its 109-year history due to the coronavirus pandemic, and will run from Tuesday 21 to Sunday 26 September in a special one-off event.
Stars including Dame Judi Dench, Guy Ritchie and Call The Midwife’s Helen George turned out in force for today’s preview, which is also open to the press.
The Queen, who attends the event every year, is set to skip it this year for the first time since 2005 as she remains in Balmoral, where she is expected to stay until October. It will be only the tenth time she has missed the Flower Show.
Instead, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Prince and of Kent, and Princess Alexandra will represent to Royal Family at the event.
Celebrities are flocking to the Chelsea Flower Show ahead of the opening of its first ever autumn edition today. Dame Judi Dench, 86, stole the show as she attended
Pregnant Call The Midwife’s star Helen George showed off her baby bump in a floral dress as she toured The Chelsea Flower Show preview day on Monday. The event, which takes place in autumn for the first time, opens to the public tomorrow
Actress Sally Phillips couldn’t hide her excitement as she toured the Psalm 23 garden, which incudes a pond and a flountain, at the show today
The ITV presenter gave an enthusiastic smile as she prepared to wander around the beautiful displays at this years Chelsea Flower Show
Director Guy Ritchie was spotted at the event with wife Jacqui Ainsley who looked casually chic in a camel coat and pair of green trousers (left). Alexa Chung arrived in a practical purple raincoat, black tights and patent pumps
Florists put the finishing touches to their displays, making sure each detail was sorted ahead of the show’s first day tomorrow, pictured
Gemma Collins appeared in high spirits as she chatted with passersby before entering the event wearing a vibrant yellow gown
Pictured, a performer entertaining guests at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this afternoon in central London
Celebrities including actresses Dame Judi Dench, 86, Sally Phillips and Helen George, as well as fashion designer Paul Smith were among the first stars to tour the show.
ITV presenter Charlotte Hawkins, wearing a floral day dress, was also among the people in attendance.
They got to admired the beautiful Parsley Box Garden, which was designed by Alan Williams and delighted visitors with a table set with Parsley inspired tableware and small pumpkins.
Meanwhile, the Psalm 23 garden wowed with its pond and zen fountain, offering a autumn-inspired oasis within the show.
Established in 1913, the flower show has become one of the world’s biggest showcases for horticultural excellence, attracting visitors and exhibitors from across the globe.
It has grown from 244 exhibitors in 1913 to more than 500 today, including gardens, nurseries, floristry, educational displays and trade stands. The show attracts 168,000 visitors.
No wallflower! Dame Judi Dench seemed delighted to be attending the show and stopped to smell some of the flowers when she arrived, wearing a linen jacket
In excellent spirits, Dame Judi put on an animated display at the show as she posed with Chelsea pensioners in uniforms with whom she held a big flower garland
Dame Judi exuded elegance as she posed with Chelsea pensioners on the RHS Queen’s Green Canopy Garden at the event this afternoon
The iconic actress appeared to be deep in conversation with one of the Chelsea pensioners at the event this afternoon
The show is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, of which the Queen is patron, and traditionally takes place mid-May.
However this year it was blighted by Covid, and The Royal Horticultural Society announced in January that the show, in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, would be moved from May 18-23 to September 21-26.
Last year the event had to be scrapped completely because of coronavirus, with a virtual show staged online.
As many as 140,000 are expected to attend the event, which will ensure planned safety measures, included spreading the show over an extra day and reducing visitor numbers.
Guy Ritchie and wife Jacqui Ainsley appeared in high spirits today as they stepped out to attend the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The director donned a pair of orange trousers, plaid shirt and casual coat while his wife was stylish in a white shirt and fashionable sunglasses
Ben and Marina Fogle visited the RHS Chelsea Flower Show COP26 Garden, a feature garden, designed by Marie-Louise Agius
Model Alexa Chung put on a fashionable display in a black romper and tights paired with an oversized grey coat and black leather heels
Reality star Gemma Collins put on a very elaborate display as she stepped out for the The Chelsea Flower show in London this afternoon
Gemma, 40, donned a floor-length yellow gown decorated with gem stones paired with a pink bedazzled dress and matching metallic trainers
Television presenters Johnny Ball and his daughter Zoe Ball were seen posing together at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this afternoon
Chelsea Pensioners in uniform wave from the top of a repurposed double-decker bus in the Bowdens garden hosting bamboo shoots and ferns
Florists Tara and Valerie Pain, pictured, wore beautiful flower collars in the Parsley box garden during the show’s press day today
The Chelsea Flower Show is readying to open its doors to the public as it returns following the coronavirus pandemic. The show, which traditionally takes place in May, was postponed to September for the first time in its 109-year long history, and will go on from tomorrow to Sunday 26 September. Visitors in matching hats, pictured, toured the show for a sneak preview today
Narture meets disco! During the show’s press day, a drag queen made sure the party started early, with models wearing futuristic gear danced next to a pink barbecue set
Presenter Nicki Chapman looked beautiful in a pink dress as she walked among the grandiose flower displays around the event
In 2019, the Duchess of Cambridge designed one of the gardens and gave the Queen a guided tour.
The RHS said the September show will ‘celebrate the best of autumn horticulture’ and at this year’s event, the Royal Family contingent will see displays including the RHS Queen’s Green Canopy Garden.
The garden runs alongside Her Majesty’s unique tree planting initiative created to mark the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
Lisa Snowdon was a vision in brown boots and a vibrant animal print gown as she attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this afternoon
Sally Phillips put her balance to the test as she stood on a rock in the middle of the pond, wearing heels, while touring the show’s Psalm 23 garden
The Bridget Jones star added a chic pink coat to her stylish floral dress as she posed for a picture at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Model Valerie Pain showed off a beautiful autumn-inspired flower colour at the show this morning Due to the change in dates, this Year’s flower show with celebrate Autumn-trends rather than Spring
Alan Williams, left, who designed the Parsley Box Garden, proudly posed in front of his creation as celebrities like the designer Paul Smith, right, flocked to the show
A pregnant Helen George showed her baby bump as she stood with nurses in the Florence Nightingale garden at the show, pictured
The effort got underway in secret in March – the end of the official planting season – when the monarch and the Prince of Wales, who is patron of the initiative, met at Windsor Castle to plant an inaugural ‘Verdun Oak’ .
Everyone from individuals to Scout and Girlguiding groups, villages, cities, counties, schools and companies, will be encouraged to plant trees from October 2021, when the tree planting season begins, through to the end of the Jubilee year in 2022.
From October, details of contributions can be uploaded onto an interactive map on the new QGC website, so people can see the canopy’s development.
A table laid with little pumpkins and autumn-inspired sets awaits visitors who venture in the Parsley Box garden, which was designed by Alan Williams, pictured
Models Valerie, left and Tara Pain were the belles of the ball with their amazing flower collars and white dresses at the show today
Models Valerie and Tara Pain appeared in high spirits as they attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in elaborate collars made from dried flowers
The Woodland Trust, the largest woodland conservation charity in the United Kingdom, has committed three million free saplings to schools and communities across the UK as part of the QGC initiative.
Trees can be planted either singularly or in copses by individuals, schools, community groups or businesses on private land, or even as a new Platinum Jubilee Avenue of medium-sized or large trees – ideal for cities, large estates, housing developments and parishes.
The project is not-for-profit and is being funded by private donors and supporters including Royal Mail, Coutts, The John Lewis Partnership, Coupa and Rentokil Initial plc.
While the QGC has not received government funding, it is also being supported by DEFRA.
Neon lights and hot pink accessories offered a stark contrast with the peaceful set-up of the Show’s display as a drag queen Djed at the show
Everything coming up roses! Good Morning Britain’s presenter Charlotte Hawkins donned a floral day dress to the event today
Charlotte wore her blonde tresses curled and loose around her shoulders while opting for a pale pink manicure and light make-up look
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs George Eustice was pictured attending the Chelsea Flower Show today
A fitting guest! Actress Dixie Egerickx, who started in the recent remake of the Secret Garden, looked darling in a floral babydoll dress
Helen George, who is expecting her second child this year, put on an animated display as she talked to fellow visitors and members of the press at the show today
The Call the Midwife actress beamed as she cradled her baby bump with her hands during her visit of the show today, pictured
Helen chatted with some of the models working around the show and bringing the displays to life, who was wearing a pilgrim outfit
The performer is pictured acting in front of a stunning garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, a garden show held by the Royal Horticultural Society
Mel Reynard put on a fashionable display in a mask and gown at the Landform Balcony Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this afternoon
Making an impression with her outfit, Gemma posed as she arrived at the Chelsea Flower Show in London this afternoon
A gust is pictured admiring a stunning floral display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London this afternoon
One guest grinned in front of the plants as she donned a tomato-themed headdress and gown at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London this afternoon
Designer Martha Krempel is pictured discussing her Arcadia balcony garden with visitors at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this afternoon