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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Zoe Forsey

Why Kate Middleton didn't win award at Chelsea Flower Show - but Meghan Markle's charity did

The Duchess of Cambridge's garden at the Chelsea Flower Show has been widely praised - including some lovely feedback from the Queen and her kids.

But despite the gorgeous design and the important message behind it, it didn't take any of the awards.

There's a very simply reason why Kate doesn't have a nice shiny award to put on the mantelpiece - she wasn't judged.

The Duchess' garden was this year's RHS's feature garden, which isn't included in the competition.

However a garden created by Camfed - a charity supported by Meghan Markle - took home the gold award for the Space to Grow Gardens category.

Kate gave the Queen a tour earlier this week (AFP/Getty Images)

 As a normal entry into the competition, the garden could be judged just like all the others - and the judges were clearly impressed. 

There have been reports that the organisation, which helps educate woman in Africa, was banned from using photos of Meghan and Prince Harry as it would send "mixed messages".

However the charity has said the reason they didn't use photos is simply because the couple had nothing to do with the garden.

The Camfed Garden: 'Giving girls in Africa a Space to grow' (Mark Thomas/REX)

Kensington Palace confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are extremely supportive of Camfed's work, which helps girls stay in education in rural Africa.

A source told Fabulous Digital : "There is absolutely no rivalry here.

"Meghan and Prince Harry haven't been involved with Camfed's garden design, nor do they have any official role within the organisation.

"They are in no way pitted against each other, in part because the Duchess of Cambridge's garden is the RHS garden and isn't judged."

Kate shared adorable photos of her family exploring her garden (PA)
It was inspired by her childhood (PA)

A Camfed spokesperson said: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have no involvement with the Camfed Garden, nor do they have official roles within our organisation.

"For this reason, we would not issue a photograph of Prince Harry with CAMA alumnae as it represents an inaccurate association."

The gardens were judged by a small team of judges who visited on Saturday before the event officially opened.

A representative from each garden has two minutes to present and explain their garden.

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