The King and Queen joined David Beckham on Monday night as the former England football captain made his debut at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show — honour of His Majesty with a rose buttonhole.
“It’s so beautiful, so beautiful, congratulations,” Beckham told the Queen as she admired the vibrant bloom, newly bred in tribute to the King.
“Your Majesty, it’s so nice to see you,” he added as the pair greeted each other outside the Highgrove stand.
The royal couple were joined by Beckham and veteran broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh — both ambassadors for the King’s Foundation — as they helped unveil the shopfront of the Foundation’s stand, part of a new partnership with design house Sanderson.
The curtain reveal marked the official opening of the shop, dressed with lavish floral displays by Shane Connolly, the florist behind the Coronation arrangements.
The King and Queen browsed the merchandise inside, with proceeds going to support the Foundation, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary. Camilla showed interest in a Burberry trench coat lined with fabric by Royal Drawing School graduate Helen Bullock, while the King eyed a set of retro-style “God Save the King” china mugs.
Earlier, His Majesty, using a walking stick, took time to visit the David Austin Roses stand inside the Great Marquee, where he inspected the newly named “King’s Rose”.
“Does it smell?” he asked, leaning in. “It does smell, it’s a lovely musky fragrance,” replied grower David Austin Jr.
The King expressed amazement at the breeding process, which took 12 years and began with 60,000 seedlings. “What did you do to get it to grow?” he asked. “Of those 60,000, only one made it,” said Austin.
“I must say, this is amazing,” said the King, admiring the family-run firm’s largest ever Chelsea display.
The King’s Rose — a semi-double, repeat-flowering shrub with fuchsia pink and white striped petals — is being shown at Chelsea for the first time. Proceeds from sales will go to support the King’s Foundation.
Charles, was walking with a traditional country stick, made his way through the showgrounds chatting to gardeners, guests and exhibitors, occasionally veering off course to take a closer look at displays that caught his eye.
