The Royal Family have shared remarkable black and white pictures of a young Queen visiting the Chelsea Flower Show as it becomes a virtual festival for the first time in its history.
Posted to the Queen’s Instagram account, the pictures see the monarch stepping across a pond at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1949, aged 23, before she was made a patron of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1952 – and took to the throne in 1953.
Wearing a monochrome polka dot dress and a trench coat, the royal is seen being helped across a pond as she navigates the rocks in heels, watched by a crowd.
This is the first year in its 117 year history that the horticultural show, which started in 1913 and was first visited by Queen Mary in 1916, has gone online, and it will be shown Monday 18th to Saturday 24th May.
They later shared a picture of the Queen carrying a bouquet on her coronation at Westminster Abbey in 1953 as they revealed the family’s favourite flowers, writing: ‘The Queen has chosen lily of the valley, pictured here in the Buckingham Palace gardens.
‘Lily of the valley featured in Her Majesty’s coronation bouquet and has held special associations since.’
The Royal Family have shared remarkable black and white pictures of a young Queen visiting the Chelsea Flower Show as it becomes a virtual festival for the first time in its history
They later shared a picture of the Queen carrying a bouquet on her coronation at Westminster Abbey in 1953 as they revealed the family’s favourite flowers, writing: ‘The Queen has chosen lily of the valley, pictured here in the Buckingham Palace gardens. Lily of the valley featured in Her Majesty’s coronation bouquet and has held special associations since.’
Meanwhile another picture shows the Queen, alongside Prince Philip, admiring a flower display, while the royal is seen chatting to a member of the Royal Horticultural Society, dressed in a trench, a head piece and gloves.
Sharing the snaps, the Royal Family’s Instagram acccount wrote: ‘The Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show is moving online for the first time.
‘Visit RHS for a unique timetable of events from Monday 18th to Saturday 23rd May, including gardening advice and virtual sessions.
‘The RHS have been supporting gardeners old and new, with more people than ever accessing the advice pages on their website over recent weeks.
Meanwhile another picture shows the Queen, alongside Prince Philip, admiring a flower display
‘Her Majesty has been Patron of the Royal Horticultural Society since 1952 – she first attended the show as Monarch in 1955, and has visited almost every year since.’
Posting a quote from the Queen, they continued: ‘The Queen has today sent her best wishes to all those associated with the RHS: ‘My family and I have always enjoyed visiting the Show, and I know that your Members and Supporters will be disappointed that they are unable to attend in person this year.
‘I am sure that my grandmother, Queen Mary, who first attended the Chelsea Flower Show in 1916, would be delighted that many people today have an enthusiasm for horticulture, and that gardening remains a popular pastime in the United Kingdom.’
The royal is seen chatting to a member of the Royal Horticultural Society, dressed in a trench, a head piece and gloves
A letter from the Queen states: ‘I am sure that my grandmother, Queen Mary, who first attended the Chelsea Flower Show in 1916, would be delighted that many people today have an enthusiasm for horticulture, and that gardening remains a popular pastime in the United Kingdom.’
This is the first year in its 117 year history that the horticultural show, which started in 1913 and was first visited by Queen Mary in 1916, has gone online, and it will be shown Monday 18th to Saturday 24th May
Posting a quote from the Queen, they wrote: ‘The Queen has today sent her best wishes to all those associated with the RHS: ‘My family and I have always enjoyed visiting the Show, and I know that your Members and Supporters will be disappointed that they are unable to attend in person this year.
The RHS website shows they are aproviding a line-up of world-leading designers, plant experts and practical gardening advice online.
Posting pictures as the virtual show kicks off today, the RHS wrote: ‘We’ve got a schedule of fresh and inspirational content from some of the nation’s favourite gardening experts.
‘Each day will follow a different theme with new content offering design tips, planting ideas, garden tours, ‘how to’ demonstrations, meet the growers, Q&As and more. ⠀
‘There’s a packed timetable with lots to see across the week’.
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.
The show is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, of which the Queen is patron.
Duchess of Cornwall: Alchemilla mollis ‘This acid green fluffy-flowered plant is one of the best-ever foliage plants for the garden and the vase. A must for every gardener…’
The Duchess of Gloucester: Sweet peas
The Princess Royal : Hellebores ‘Not only do they flower early but they keep flowering for two months, and they are often beautifully marked with endless variations.’
The Earl and Countess of Wessex: Azalea They described them as ‘so breathtaking at this time of year and have the most intoxicating scent’.
Princess Alexandra: Golden celebration rose ‘My Alexandra rose dominates my garden, but this golden celebration rose gives me great pleasure to look at and has the most extraordinary and unique scent’.
The Duke of Gloucester: Daisy