King Charles once left the celebrated gardening personality Alan Titchmarsh utterly speechless with a brief five-word remark during a royal ceremony. The encounter occurred when Titchmarsh received his Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) award in the King's New Year Honours List for 2024, recognising his decades of service to horticulture and charity.
A Royal Promotion and a Memorable Moment
Alan Titchmarsh, a beloved TV presenter and horticultural authority, had previously been awarded an MBE over 25 years ago. His promotion to CBE marked a significant milestone in his career, which he described as a "teary moment" upon discovery, noting he was in his "61st year of gardening for a living." However, it was his interaction with King Charles that truly stood out.
The King's Remark That Stunned Titchmarsh
As reported by Richard Eden of The Mail, during the ceremony, King Charles grinned at Titchmarsh and laughed, saying, "You're on your way up." Titchmarsh later admitted that the comment left him so taken aback that he couldn't "think fast enough" to craft a witty reply. He reflected, "It was the sweetest thing to say. I didn't think fast enough to say, 'I think I've probably peaked.'"
This incident highlights the personal touch the King brings to royal engagements, even as it left a seasoned broadcaster like Titchmarsh momentarily lost for words. The gardening icon has long enjoyed royal recognition, with the late Queen Elizabeth II once humorously noting he had given "a lot of ladies a lot of pleasure" during his MBE award ceremony decades prior.
Titchmarsh's Horticultural Legacy and Practical Advice
Beyond royal encounters, Alan Titchmarsh continues to share his expertise with the public. As president of Perennial (formerly the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Society) since 2004, he remains dedicated to supporting gardeners in need. Recently, he offered practical gardening tips on his YouTube channel, Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh, focusing on eco-friendly weed removal.
Weed Control Without Chemicals
In a dedicated episode, Titchmarsh demonstrated how to eliminate weeds from gravel paths and patios without using chemical products or spending money. His method involves using a garden hoe and sunshine to dehydrate the weeds effectively.
- Step 1: Run a Dutch hoe over the gravel to slice weeds at the base, separating them from their roots.
- Step 2: Leave the uprooted weeds exposed to the sun, which dehydrates and kills them.
- Step 3: For patios with soil between paving slabs, use a patio knife to remove weeds from joints, allowing the sun to dry them out.
Titchmarsh emphasised, "Don't try and dig with the hoe. Remember, you're always skimming. The more of the weed root you can expose to the drying rays of the sun, the quicker they will die." This advice showcases his commitment to sustainable gardening practices, aligning with his broader contributions to horticulture.
Overall, Alan Titchmarsh's journey from MBE to CBE, crowned by a memorable moment with King Charles, underscores his enduring impact on British gardening and charity, even as he continues to educate and inspire through practical, accessible advice.
