King Charles beams as he reunites with David Beckham at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Reach Daily Express May 19, 2026 03:40 AM

King Charles has reunited with two of his King's Foundation ambassadors, Sir David Beckham and Alan Titchmarsh, at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The three men greeted each other like old friends as they arrived at The RHS and The King's Foundation Curious Garden, the special display they worked on together.

The Curious Garden, designed by horticulturist Frances Tophill, is a showpiece designed to spark curiosity in gardening and encourage more people, particularly younger generations, to spend time in nature. It features a beautiful oak building representing a 'museum of curiosities'; seven raised plant beds as a nod to Sir David's iconic shirt number; one of the King's favourite flowers, delphiniums, and an Artist's Easel created by The King's Foundation's Snowdon School of Furniture.

It also features four gnomes painted for Sir David Beckham, King Charles, garden designer Frances Tophill and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh, who all form part of the team behind The RHS and The King's Foundation Curious Garden.

The King, Sir David and Sir Alan toured the garden together, stopping to admire different parts of the display, which were planted by apprentices and garden trainees from both the RHS and The King's Foundation charities.

Some of the garden's highlights included the King's Rose and Sir David's Rose, the latter of which marks its debut this year at the world-renowned horticultural show.

The King's Rose is a pink and white striped English shrub rose and was introduced at Chelsea last year.

Sir David's rose is a shrub rose, with buds featuring a soft hint of pink that open into luminous white flowers with touches of blush and yellow.

The garden aims to encourage the nation to discover the joy of curiosity in gardening and the vital contribution plants make to the health of people, places and the planet.

Aside from the King's garden, the annual gardening event features show gardens containing everything from a Barbara Hepworth sculpture to a huge wooden carving of a Mother Nature figure from a fallen mature tree, among the array of flowers and trees.

Meanwhile, the Queen was pictured looking at exhibits in the Highgrove shop.

Charles arrived at the annual garden showcase on Monday evening alongside the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

A host of celebrities attended the preview day, ahead of the official opening on Tuesday, and wore their best floral outfits to the London event.

Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were also present, and toured the garden displays separately.

Much of the thinking behind the Curious Garden draws on The King's philosophy of Harmony, which is protected and promoted by The King's Foundation, and encourages us to see ourselves as part of nature - not apart from it - and celebrate all that nature is capable of.

Following the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026, the garden will live on at a college supporting young adults, extending its educational and environmental legacy beyond the showground.

Sir David Beckham said of the garden: "I want to help encourage a new generation to appreciate the benefits of nature and get involved in gardening. It's been fun to be a part of creating the Curious Garden and I'm excited for people to see it at RHS Chelsea Flower Show."

"My love for the countryside started when I was a child visiting my grandparents. I've experienced how rewarding gardening can be... I hope we inspire people to get outside into nature and to try something new."

© Copyright @2026 LIDEA. All Rights Reserved.