The Queen and her granddaughter Princess Beatrice enjoyed a day out at the Chelsea Flower Show on Monday.The British royals were seen arriving on one of the hottest days of the year in London, soaking in the glorious sunshine and the opulent floral displays set up in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
The Queen and Princess Beatrice
The Queen, 88, dressed to match her surroundings, opting for a flower-printed skirt and lilac silk jacket by designer Karl Ludwig. The reigning monarch completed her spring-like outfit with immaculate white gloves and a silver brooch that had been given to her by the Royal Horticultural Society in 2012.As she walked around the show on her 50-minute private visit, the mother-of-four admired the displays and was particularly taken by Alan Titchmarsh's Britain in Bloom garden, which represented the nation's changing landscape from the moors through to the seaside."The Queen said it was lovely and great fun," said Alan. "I know the Queen knows quite a lot about gardening and she knows the Latin names, which I think surprises a lot of people."
The Queen walks through a mock-up of a trench
Her Majesty also walked through one garden made by Birmingham City Council, which was created in honour of those who had died during the First World War. The display was of a replica trench, complete with sandbags, food tins and metal rats, which had the Queen commenting, "It is rather a nice trench isn't it," in comparison to real ones. "I feel immensely proud," said Darren Share, who showed the royal through the trench. "It is of some significance that during the anniversary of WW1, the Queen took the time to see our display rather than just walk past it."
The Queen visiting the Thai exhibit
The monarch also stopped by the Thai garden where she talked with the exhibitors and was presented with a hanging flower decoration as a keepsake.Princess Beatrice, meanwhile, enjoyed the flower show with her close friend Holly Branson. The stylish 25-year-old royal donned a floaty white dress with black sheer panels for the occasion, and kept her locks loose over her shoulders.
Princess Beatrice and Holly Branson
The royals and other celebrities who visited the show, including Kim Sears, Susanna Reid and Lily Cole, were attending on press day. The event is open to the public on May 20 to 24.