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RHS to close all 5 gardens on the day of the Queen's funeral as a mark of respect

rhs garden harlow carr   main borders
RHS to close all gardens for Queen's funeral Jason Ingram/RHS

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) will close its five gardens — Bridgewater, Wisley, Hyde Hall, Harlow Carr and Rosemoor — on the day of the Queen's funeral as a mark of respect, it has been confirmed.

The gardening charity issued a statement after Buckingham Palace announced that Her Majesty the Queen had passed away, aged 96, at Balmoral Castle on Thursday 8th September 2022.

'It is with extreme sorrow and deep respect that the Society marks the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Patron of the RHS,' the statement read.

'Her Majesty became Patron of the Society on accession to the throne in 1952. From an early age, The Queen regularly accompanied her parents to RHS Chelsea Flower Show, visiting the show more than 50 times during her reign, and always took great pleasure in touring the gardens and plant displays and speaking with exhibitors.'

Photo credit: Mirrorpix - Getty Images
Photo credit: Mirrorpix - Getty Images

The statement went on to thank the Queen for her ongoing support, saying that she has been a 'great source of strength' to the charity.

'Her Majesty understood the importance of gardening and there can be no doubt that The Queen and HRH Prince Philip enjoyed the peace and privacy of their gardens at Sandringham, Norfolk, Balmoral, Aberdeenshire, and at Buckingham Palace, but they also enjoyed the gardens as a venue for summer garden parties; it is said that no one knew the gardens of Buckingham Palace better than The Queen.

Photo credit: George W. Hales - Getty Images
Photo credit: George W. Hales - Getty Images

'Her Majesty's support has always been a great source of strength to the RHS and we were delighted that The Queen was able to visit this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Her Majesty will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with the Royal Family, to whom we send our deepest condolences at this sad time.'

The Royals have long-standing ties with the RHS, especially the Chelsea Flower Show. The Queen has been Patron of the Royal Horticultural Society since 1952. She first attended RHS Chelsea as Monarch in 1955, and has visited almost every year since; attending the show in person on press day; a day which is reserved for VIPs and the media.

Photo credit: WPA Pool - Getty Images
Photo credit: WPA Pool - Getty Images

Details of the Queen's funeral have yet to be announced.


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