King Charles III and Queen Camilla were greeted by enthusiastic crowds as they arrived for the opening day of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) flower show at the Sandringham Estate. This five-day event marks a significant first, being held at the monarch's private Norfolk residence. The King, who took on the patronage of the RHS in 2024, and the Queen were central figures in the opening ceremonies, presenting awards to various exhibitors.
Among the recipients was Ingoldisthorpe Church of England Primary School, located near Sandringham, which received Her Majesty the Queen's Special Award for Upcycled Container Gardens. Their exhibit, named 'The Queen Bee', featured an inventive display crafted from upcycled containers, including tin can bees. Queen Camilla expressed her delight, describing the display as "absolutely charming" and acknowledging the considerable effort involved in its creation.
The Royal couple also toured the RHS Royal Legacy Garden, a design by Catherine MacDonald developed in collaboration with King Charles himself. The King reportedly described the garden as "fantastic". Many visitors, including Agnes Watson from Suffolk, were experiencing the estate for the first time and had the opportunity to greet the monarch. Ms Watson, who shook the King's hand, remarked on their softness, humorously questioning how much gardening he personally undertook.
This new RHS flower show is taking the place of the traditional annual Sandringham Flower Show. The Sandringham Estate has agreed for the RHS to host a horticultural show at the site once every three years. The Sandringham Flower Show, which has a rich history dating back to 1881 and is run by a volunteer committee, is scheduled to return in 2027 and 2028, ensuring its continuation alongside the new RHS event.
However, the new RHS event has not been without scrutiny. While organisers maintain that ticket prices are competitive, some have voiced concerns that the RHS show is less "affordable" than the estate's previous one-day flower show. For context, the annual Sandringham Flower Show cost £19 in 2025, whereas day tickets for the 2026 RHS event range up to £42, reflecting a notable difference in pricing structure.