The Duchess of Edinburgh has revealed a new talent – she’s now a garden designer.
Sophie is taking the lead in creating a garden for the Royal Windsor Flower Show which takes place in June.
The Duchess is working on the Plants with Purpose Garden which will be at the heart of this year’s show.
She’s working with Alan Williams of Landform Consultants to create the space and their first ideas have now been shared.
Meeting Alan Titchmarsh, Honorary President of the Royal Windsor Flower Show, Sophie showed some of the inspiration for the garden which will highlight the importance of healthy soil.
The garden is also designed to help understand how food is grown.
With just weeks to go until the show, the plans for the garden were up for inspection as final preparations got under way.
The idea behind the garden is tied to one of Sophie’s long standing causes, supporting young people to make a career in the food industry, as well as her interest in sustainable food production.
The finished garden will be unveiled at the Flower Show, which takes place on June 6 in Windsor Great Park.
The show is run by the Royal Windsor Rose and Horticultural Society which was set up in 1892 under the guidance of Queen Victoria. It held its first flower show on July 8 1892 at the Royal Albert Institute and it was held in several other locations until 1895 when Victoria gave permission for it to take place within Windsor Great Park.
It’s had a string of royal patrons ever since with King Edward VII and King George V both taking the role. Queen Elizabeth II took up the patronage in 1953 and held it until her death. The patron of the Royal Windsor Flower Show is now King Charles III.
Sophie’s garden will be at the heart of a busy show which will also see the usual competitions marquee open as well as crafts and special talks about horticulture.
King Charles enjoyed a visit to the show last year but he has a potential diary clash this time round. The event is being held on the same day as the wedding of his nephew, Peter Phillips, who is set to marry Harriet Sperling in Gloucestershire on the same date.
