Sir David Beckham was all smiles as he met King Charles at the Chelsea Flower Show, where three new blooms were named after the King, Beckham, and TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh.
Royal Visit to the Chelsea Flower Show
The King greeted Sir David Beckham, smelled roses, and nuzzled a dog training to sniff out plant diseases during his tour of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with Queen Camilla on Monday. Crowds gathered as the royal couple explored various gardens and plants at the world-famous horticultural event held at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.
The King's Foundation Curious Garden
Charles and Camilla visited the King's Foundation Curious Garden, a centrepiece designed to inspire curiosity about gardening. The King collaborated on its creation with Beckham and Titchmarsh, meeting them inside a wooden hut filled with gnomes, artwork, dangling plants, balls of yarn, jars of honey, and even vodka.
Charles stopped to admire three rose varieties: one named after the King, another after Titchmarsh, and a new English shrub rose named after Beckham. The former footballer wore his namesake white rose in his buttonhole, celebrating its launch after his daughter Harper commissioned it for his 50th birthday.
Charles greeted Beckham, who said, "Thank you, sir." Camilla complimented the garden, telling Titchmarsh, "This is so nice. It looks natural, doesn't it?"
Meeting Dame Judi Dench
Later, Charles greeted Dame Judi Dench with a kiss on both cheeks. They discussed a giant Gaia sculpture at the Campaign to Protect Rural England's garden, which Charles called "extraordinary." Dame Judi noted the hollow interior and mentioned a production of The Tempest starring Sir Kenneth Branagh.
Detection Dog Demonstration
Charles playfully greeted a cocker spaniel named Zinc at the Animal and Plant Health Agency's exhibit, which demonstrated how detection dogs combat plant pests. Trainer Luke Jones showed how Zinc quickly located a scented toy, showcasing his advanced smell for identifying diseases. Charles exclaimed, "Fantastic."
Other Royal Visitors
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal, and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester also toured the show separately on Monday evening. This year's event features show gardens with items ranging from a Barbara Hepworth sculpture to Japanese bonsai trees.
Earlier, Titchmarsh, Queen guitarist Sir Brian May, comedian Bill Bailey, and presenter Dame Floella Benjamin displayed painted gnomes for a charity auction, marking only the second time RHS has lifted its gnome ban in 133 years.
Horticulturalist Frances Tophill, who designed the King's Foundation Curious Garden with support from the King, Beckham, and Titchmarsh, said it demonstrates "human beings in collaboration" and that "everyone's ideas were very aligned." When asked about working with the King, Titchmarsh replied, "Delightful."
