The Queen made an appearance at the Royal Chelsea Flower Show today, touring the garden displays in a buggy.
“Adjustments have been made for The Queen’s comfort,” said a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman of the decision to attend. Her Majesty’s attendance at any events she has been invited to are now made on a last-minute basis, depending on her ability at that time.
While she missed the State Opening of Parliament, The Queen was well enough to attend the Royal Windsor Horse Show and made a surprise visit last week to officially open the new Elizabeth Line with The Earl of Wessex.
The Chelsea Flower Show is one of the staples in the royal calendar each May, previewing the gardens before they open to the public.
Also at the event was Princess Beatrice and husband, Edo, plus The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra and The Duke of Kent.
Today, the Monarch was shown around 10 gardens by Keith Weed, president of The Royal Horticultural Society, which organises the show, who sat alongside her in the buggy.
Reports suggest that the electric vehicle costs in the region of £60,000 from manufacturer Daria.
There was even a Platinum Jubilee floral tribute to her 70-year reign, alongside a crowned purple archway at the entrance.
Simon Lycett, who has created many floral arrangements for the Royal Family, and has designed a special silhouette of The Queen. It is covered on both sides with an assortment of native British-grown tree branches, with connecting inner shelves arranged with 70 terracotta pots, hand-made in Warwickshire, and planted with Lily of the Valley, understood to be one of The Queen’s favourite plants, which also featured in her Coronation bouquet.
The Queen uses a mobility buggy during a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show
Lycett told the Telegraph it would be ‘utterly overwhelming and magical’ if The Queen saw his tribute in person, adding: “It would be totally special, and a delicious cherry on top of what is already a rather gorgeous cake.”
The Duchess of Cambridge featured her own submission in 2021, with the Back to Nature garden, which she showed to the Sovereign during the preview.
