Queen steps out for Chelsea Flower Show

The Queen put in an appearance at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show on Monday.

The Queen is given a tour of the Chelsea Flower Show in London on Monday. Picture: AFP

The Queen put in an appearance at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show on Monday, as it returned to its traditional May slot after the hiatus of the pandemic.

The 96-year-old monarch, who has cut back on her public ­appearances due to difficulties walking, was seen for the first time using a chauffeur-driven buggy to get around.

She toured the manicured grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea – a retirement home for army veterans – with Keith Weed, the president of organisers: the Royal Horticultural Society.

About 140,000 people are expected to attend the west London show from Tuesday until Sunday, with several creations designed to pay tribute to the Queen’s record-breaking 70 years on the throne.

The Queen is given a tour of the Chelsea Flower Show in London on Monday. Picture: AFP

One is a new rose, “Rosa Elizabeth”, which is in line for a prize, while another is a huge purple steel structure of her profile, with foliage, 70 pots of her favourite flower lily of the valley and rosemary.

The future of the planet, a ­return to more natural gardens and wellbeing are recurring themes at this year’s exhibition, which has been organised by the horticultural society for more than 100 years.

One of the 39 spectacular gardens created for the occasion is a huge 15-tonne block of ice made from rainwater, surrounded by trees and plants.

It will melt slowly over the next few days.

“We’re remembering the melting and thawing of the permafrost within the Arctic regions,” its creator John Warland said.

But he said there is still a positive message despite the “doom and gloom” of climate change.

“Ten years ago, scientists went down into the ice and they found seeds … that were 32,000 years old that were actually viable and that they were able to germinate,” he added.

“So although climate change is bad, possibly locked deep within the ice could be the secret and key to the onward survival of mankind.”

Several members of the royal family also attended the event, ­including Prince Edward and ­Sophie, Countess of Wessex; Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi; the Duke of Gloucester; the Duke of Kent; Prince Michael of Kent; and Princess Alexandra.

Monday’s event was the latest surprise appearance from the monarch, who has “episodic ­mobility problems”. She recently stepped out to cheer on her granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Last week, the Queen also ­attended one of several events honouring her 70th anniversary. She unveiled a plaque at Paddington Station marking the completion of the Elizabeth line, named after her.

AFP, Agencies