Sex And The City star Kim Cattrall was joined by her husband, Russell Thomas, on Monday as the couple made a rare public appearance together at the Chelsea Flower Show. The actress, best known for her role as Samantha Jones in the hit HBO series, was given an early preview of the annual Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) event at Royal Hospital Chelsea.
The four-day event officially begins on Tuesday, but Kim, 69, was among a handful of celebrities granted an exclusive preview 24 hours before the general public. On a blustery day in London, the actress wore a powder pink blazer and cream slacks, paired with a cricket sweater and tan loafers, looking summer-ready as she posed for photos with her husband.
Key Features of This Year's Event
Highlights include a stunning Barbara Hepworth sculpture and a large wooden carving of a Mother Nature figure from a fallen mature tree. For the second time in the show's history, the RHS has lifted its ban on gnomes, allowing visitors to spot them in displays such as the RHS and King's Foundation Curious Garden, which aims to inspire curiosity about gardening.
Celebrity Gnome Auction
Queen guitarist Sir Brian May, comedian Bill Bailey, TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh, and presenter Dame Floella Benjamin were among those showing off their gnomes, which are being auctioned to support the RHS Campaign for School Gardening. Sir Brian decorated his gnome with a guitar around its neck, nicknaming it "Billy Badass." He expressed pride in his creation and questioned the previous ban on gnomes, noting the importance of not dictating people's taste.
Kim and Russell's Love Story
Kim and Russell first met at the BBC in London in 2016 when she appeared on Woman's Hour to record an essay about insomnia. He stayed in touch after her appearance and even followed her on Twitter (now X). She told Glamour in 2018 that he direct messaged her, calling it "very, very modern" and noting how easy the relationship became. He later flew to her home in Vancouver, Canada, to spend time with her, which she described as brave given they had only shared a few meals together. They married at Chelsea Old Town Hall in a ceremony with reportedly just 12 guests.
Kim has described their relationship as a gradual progression, contrasting it with her earlier, more instinctual relationships. She told The Times: "Our lives were so separate and so different. It's a nice life and I'm very grateful for that." The Chelsea Flower Show runs from May 19 to May 23.
