Chelsea Flower Show: King Charles and Queen Camilla nicknamed 'King of the Compost' and 'Queen of the Bees' | UK News | Sky News

Chelsea Flower Show: King Charles and Queen Camilla nicknamed 'King of the Compost' and 'Queen of the Bees'

Gardens filled with drought-resilient plants, water storage features and green innovations are among this year's highlights. Dame Judi, a renowned nature lover, also placed a seedling from the Sycamore Gap tree.

King Charles III during a visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. Picture date: Monday May 20, 2024.
Image: King Charles is continuing his return to royal duties as his treatment for cancer continues. Pic: PA
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The King and Queen were nicknamed "King of the Compost" and "Queen of the Bees" as they visited a child-only garden at the Chelsea Flower Show.

The royal visit on Monday, before the event opens to the public, came days after the King became the new patron of the show's organisers, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) - and as he returns to some public duties while undergoing cancer treatment.

Their latest titles were awarded by children from Sulivan Primary School in London, who handed the couple badges with their new names as they toured the "RHS No Adults Allowed Garden".

King Charles III (left) and Queen Camilla (second right) meet with pupils of the Sulivan Primary school as they visit the No Adults Allowed Garden, that they children co-designed, during a visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. Picture date: Monday May 20, 2024.
Image: King Charles and Queen Camilla met schoolchildren at the No Adults Allowed Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Pic: PA

The area, designed by Harry Holding and students from the school, includes a journey through a landscape of lush woodland, meadows and a wetland with heightened colour and oversized bog plants.

Adults can tour the garden - but only if they pledge to do one of three things: either plant a tree, donate to the RHS Campaign for School Gardening or find a flower that starts with the first letter of their name.

The King joked "quite right" after being presented with his badge.

Bridgerton cast members Ruth Gemmell (left) and Hannah Dodd (right) in the Bridgerton Garden, during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. Picture date: Monday May 20, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Chelsea. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
Image: Bridgerton stars Ruth Gemmell (left) and Hannah Dodd (right) in the Bridgerton Garden. Pic: PA

It came as the Queen admitted she had watched Bridgerton as she toured a garden inspired by the hit Netflix show.

She said: "I watched the first lot".

Other highlights at the show include gardens filled with drought-resilient plants, water storage features and green innovations, as part of efforts to embrace sustainability and a future with climate change.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla during a visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. Picture date: Monday May 20, 2024.
Image: King Charles and Queen Camilla. Pic: PA

Earlier, Dame Mary Berry, 89, a former judge on The Great British Bake Off, also took in the garden, as did Hannah Dodd and Ruth Gemmell, who play Francesca Bridgerton and her mother, Lady Violet, in the hit Netflix series.

Dame Judi Dench placed a seedling from the Sycamore Gap tree, which was felled in an act of vandalism last year, in the National Trust's Octavia Hill garden.

The seedling, named by Dame Judi as Antoninus after the adopted son of Emperor Hadrian, will be on display during the show.

Alfie Boe performs with the Chelsea Pensioners singing group to celebrate the launch of the Harkness Roses Chelsea Pensioner rose, during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. Picture date: Monday May 20, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Chelsea. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Image: Alfie Boe performs with the Chelsea Pensioners singing group. Pic: PA

Andrew Jasper, director of gardens and parklands at the National Trust, said: "When we first saw the seedlings germinate, we knew there was hope for the tree's future."

Ms Berry, joined by the Chelsea Pensioners from the nearby Royal Hospital Chelsea, also visited the National Garden Scheme garden, which gives people access to over 3,500 private gardens in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Dame Judi Dench holds a seedling in a pot from the Sycamore Gap tree in the Octavia Hill Garden by Blue Diamond, during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. Picture date: Monday May 20, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Chelsea. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Image: Dame Judi Dench holds a seedling in a pot from the Sycamore Gap tree in the Octavia Hill Garden. Pic: PA

Dame Joan Collins, Carol Vorderman, Dame Joanna Lumley, Gabby Logan and Bruno Tonioli were among the other celebrities who visited the show, which opens to the public on Tuesday.

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Sustainability is one of the themes of this year's show, with the RHS introducing a "green audit" for larger gardens and handing out an environmental innovation award for the first time.

Around 168,000 people visit the show, one of the world's leading showcases for horticultural excellence, each year.

More than 500 exhibits are featured at the show, including gardens, nurseries, floristry, educational displays and trade stands.