King Charles III is a committed environmentalist with a long history of campaigning for conservation, organic farming and tackling climate change. A keen gardener, the King has transformed his own garden at Highgrove into one of the most inspiring and innovative in the United Kingdom. Highgrove is a garden, over 35 years in the making, created with passion, vision and dedication by The King and an exemplar of his organic principles.
Keith Weed CBE, President of the RHS, said: “As an advocate for the planet and champion for environmental issues, we are thrilled and honoured that His Majesty The King is our Royal Patron. We look forward to furthering our work to reach more people of all ages, backgrounds and gardening abilities with the joy of growing plants and gardening to create wonderful gardens, combat the effects of climate change and build a better future for generations to come.”
The Late Queen Elizabeth II was previously Patron of the RHS, taking on the role in 1952. She was Patron for 70 years, visiting RHS Chelsea Flower Show nearly every year of her Reign.
Their Majesties The King and Queen will be visiting the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show on Monday the 20th of May to meet the growers, designers and horticulturists that help make both UK gardens and its nation of gardeners some of the best in the world.
During their visit to RHS Chelsea Their Majesties will visit the RHS No Adults Allowed Garden, the first garden in the history of the Show to be designed by children to highlight to children everywhere how to become gardeners to help the planet, whilst having fun. Other gardens that will be visited include the Moroto no IE Garden, designed by Kazuyuki Ishihara and the Addleshaw Goddard Junglette Garden designed by Mike McMahon.
Clare Matterson CBE, RHS Director General, said: “It means the world to the RHS and our wider horticultural family of growers, nurseries, gardeners, designers and plants people that Their Majesties The King and Queen, accompanied by The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are visiting RHS Chelsea again this year. We are all hugely looking forward to welcoming them to the world famous event to enjoy the spectacular displays that everyone has worked tirelessly to create, to meet the many wonderful charities involved with the event, and hopefully, as us gardeners love to do, sharing some top gardening tips and getting lots of inspiration along the way.”
Their Majesties visited the RHS Chelsea Flower Show just weeks after the Coronation last year. During the 2009 Show Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II presented The King, as Prince of Wales with the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH) – the Charity’s most prestigious award – as a tribute to his deep interest and expertise in horticulture.