As Kate Middleton visits the Chelsea Flower Show 2023, a look back to her garden in 2019

Dressed in a recycled pink silk ME +EM shirt dress, which her mother Carole Middleton has worn previously, Kate Middleton made a surprise visit to the Chelsea Flower Show 2023. As for her accessories she opted for Castaner Carina Espadrille wedges, which worked well for the warmer temperatures in London presently.

Whilst she was at the Chelsea Flower Show 2023, she took part in the event’s first ever Children’s Picnic and joined school pupils from 10 schools taking part in the RHS Campaign for School Gardening. Whilst she was there, the Princess of Wales also visited The Samaritans Listening Garden, which was created as a place for people to share their struggles in a safe space.

Throughout the years, exhibitors at the Chelsea Flower Show have had to contend with all sorts of weather conditions, ranging from lashing wind and rain to unseasonably warm springs that have led to many plants dying. Without question, it is around this time of year that most of us start thinking about having barbecues and enjoying our gardens (if we are lucky enough to have one). Spring (although it doesn’t feel like it weather wise so far!) is of course the time of year when the iconic Chelsea Flower Show in London takes place. 

Luckily for Kate, and King Charles and Queen Camilla, who at the time of writing, are set to attend later today (Monday May 22nd), the weather looks to be relatively good, so hopefully the umbrellas will not be out in force at the show this year.

The Chelsea Flower Show 2023 (runs from Monday May 22 to Saturday May 27 2023), and it is without question, a highlight of London’s spring/summer season and traditionally always attracts celebrities as well as key members of the royal family such as the late Queen Elizabeth 11.

Back in 2019, The Princess of Wales collaborated with Davies White Landscape Architects to create a garden that was inspired by her childhood. “In recent years I have focused much of my work on the early years and how instrumental they are for outcomes later in life,” she said. “I believe that spending time outdoors when we are young can play a role in laying the foundations for children to become happy, healthy adults.”

According to House Beautiful, the Princess of Wales “put her own special stamp n the garden by planting forget-me-nots in memory of her late mother-in-law Princess Diana, and enlisted her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to help decorate the garden.”

In the same year, People revealed that “The Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), which has become closely associated with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, won a gold medal for is garden at the show.” Although it was pitted as the Kate Middleton Vs Meghan Markle garden at the time, the Princess of Wales’s garden was not entered. This was to be expected and was seen as customary as it was in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society, organisers of the show. 

Throughout the years, and since its inception in 1913, the Chelsea Flower Show has always attracted royalty, so it will be interesting to see which royals attend. At the time of writing, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, along with Prince and Princess Michael of Kent were due to attend alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla on Monday 22nd May.