King Charles and Queen Camilla made a cheerful appearance at the Sandringham Flower Show, an event held on the royal estate in Norfolk for nearly 150 years. This year marked the first time the show has been managed by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), with King Charles serving as its patron.
The King collaborated on a new 'RHS Legacy Garden,' which showcased local Norfolk materials and highlighted his long-standing interest in horticulture, rural skills, and biodiversity.
Their Majesties arrived by horse-drawn carriage and were greeted by cheers from the public. After the national anthem, they met with RHS President Keith Weed and director general Clare Matterson. The King, who had a private viewing the previous evening with the Queen, expressed delight in meeting garden collaborator Catherine Macdonald and viewing his garden.
Throughout their visit, Charles and Camilla engaged with the thousands of members of the public lining the route. The King inquired about attendees' gardening interests, sharing lighthearted remarks about aging and his resemblance to his mother. Queen Camilla, wearing a green dress and a plaster on her thumb, asked visitors if they were enjoying the event and was presented with insect repellent.
King Charles presented the new 'The King's Biodiversity Award' to Sophie Goldber for her 'Mindful Chef's Gathering' garden design. He also presented an award for the Best Exhibit in the Floral Marquee to Roaleyn Fuschias. Queen Camilla presented The Queen's Choice of Upcycled Containers Award to the Whissonsett & District Horticultural Society and Gardening Club, and a special award to Ingoldisthorpe Church of England Primary School for their 'Queen Bee' design.
The event featured floral displays, garden designs, and demonstrations focusing on sustainability and wildlife-friendly gardening.
The royal couple's visit to Sandringham comes as their grandson, Prince George, celebrated his 13th birthday. His parents shared a photo of him on social media to mark the occasion. Prince George is set to begin his senior school experience as a boarder at Eton College in September, following in the footsteps of his father, Prince William.
Earlier this year, local residents at Sandringham raised concerns about a 'vermin infestation' in gardens on the estate. The Sandringham estate manager stated that pest control is the responsibility of the occupier. The issue has reportedly been exacerbated by a long-standing ban on tenants keeping cats, a rule introduced by Queen Elizabeth II to protect wildlife, which some tenants believe allows rodents to proliferate.