In a landmark feature, King Charles III has personally unveiled the spectacular results of his ambitious garden restoration project at the Sandringham Estate, gracing the cover of the prestigious Country Life magazine.
A Monarch's Personal Touch
The cover portrait, taken by photographer Millie Pilkington whom the King personally selected, shows His Majesty in a relaxed, informal stance. He is pictured leaning on a shepherd's crook, dressed in a pale open-necked shirt, beige trousers, and brown suede shoes, a departure from more formal royal attire.
The image was captured within the newly restored formal gardens of the Norfolk estate, setting the scene for the magazine's extensive coverage of the horticultural transformation. Mark Hedges, Editor-in-Chief of Country Life, was effusive in his praise for the monarch's work, describing the efforts since his accession as "remarkable".
The Gardens' New Splendour
Over the past three years, King Charles has overseen the meticulous revival of Sandringham's 60 acres of historic "pleasure gardens." The project is described as a showcase of the finest designs, blending restoration with innovation.
Key features of the makeover include:
- A new sundial garden adding a point of classical reflection.
- A topiary garden inspired by the King's own boyhood memories of Queen Alexandra's ornamental garden.
- A brand-new maze, a feature the King has publicly admired, once telling broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh that "there's nothing more enjoyable than getting lost in a maze."
- A 400-yard magnolia walk, featuring hundreds of varieties, many of which are known to be personal favourites of the monarch.
In a practical move, the 2023 revamp of the Sandringham lawn into a "climate-friendly" topiary garden is seen as a direct response to help the estate grounds, which have suffered from periods of warm weather and heavy rainfall.
A Royal Family Retreat
The article also reflects on Sandringham's profound significance to the Royal Family. The private estate has been a beloved home to five generations of British monarchs for over 150 years.
It was a favourite retreat of the late Queen Elizabeth II and is now a cherished residence for King Charles and Queen Camilla. The sentiment was perfectly captured by King George V, who once called Sandringham "the place I love better than anywhere else in the world."
The estate is famously used for family gatherings, most notably Christmas, and its gardens are open to the public from April to October each year.
In a separate note, the feature coincides with news that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is expected to move to a property on the wider, private Sandringham estate in the new year, following his removal from royal duties.
The full, detailed feature on King Charles's garden restoration is available in this week's edition of Country Life magazine.
