Yesterday, The Duchess of Cornwall visited the Garden Museum to view an exhibiton designed in collaboration with New Covent Flower Market to mark British Flowers Week. The exhibition at Lambeth Palace features six floral installations and showcases the unique seasonal quality of British flowers, plants and foliage.
The Duchess of Cornwall was greeted by famous gardener Alan Titchmarsh, who is a trustee of the museum. They also met Patron and royal florist Shane Connolly; Shane was responsible for the flowers displayed during the wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011. During yesterday’s engagement, Camilla was on hand to help create a stunning bouquet of flowers, while Alan had the honour of tying up the bouquet.
HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, visited the Garden Museum, in Lambeth, to view a special British Flowers Week, exhibit on June 21, 2018. pic.twitter.com/gPXoUarLXj
— Noel Derek Hillier (@hillier_noel) June 21, 2018
At the museum, The Duchess met volunteers from Floral Angels, a charity of which Camilla is patron. Floral Angels recycles flowers which have been used in various events and arranges for them to be sent to hospices, women’s refuges and care homes throughout London.
Prince Charles’s wife also met with florists involved in the project and discussed the different types of flowers used in the exhibition, including the rarity of some of the plants which were included in the display.
Camilla inspecting floral arrangements at Lambeth Palace (@ClarenceHouse)
Before departing for her next engagement, Camilla stopped to admire a portrait of her husband which is on display at the museum. The rather informal portrait by Eileen Hogan shows The Prince of Wales sitting in his study at Birkhall, surrounded by flowers from the gardens. Our editor is a big fan of this portrait of the heir-to-the-throne, let us know what you think!
The Duchess of Cornwall views a painting of Prince Charles yesterday. As a keen artist himself, I’m sure he approves. I certainly do! It’s wonderful (pics @RE_DailyMail) pic.twitter.com/hcA6IcmesS
— Victoria Howard (@TheRoyalExpert) June 22, 2018
Later in the day, The Duchess of Cornwall was on hand to officially launch the Concours d’éléphant at The Oriental Club; the Concours d’éléphant is a cavalcade of traditional Indian vehicles which will tour London to raise awareness of the charity Elephant Family.
Camilla is Joint President of Elephant Family along with her husband, The Prince of Wales; the charity works to protect the Asian elephant and was founded by the Duchess’s late brother, Mark Shand. Mark passed away in 2014 and his sister has been working to preserve his charitable legacy ever since.
Before the vehicles set off, Camilla took the opportunity to view many of the unique cars and other modes of transport which will participate in the tour. The Duchess of Cornwall was then joined by other supporters of Elephant Family, including model Jodie Kidd, to wave off the cavalcade for their journey around the city.
