While the coronavirus pandemic meant that visitors were no longer able to enjoy the Chelsea Flower Show in person this year (it went online for the first time, instead), the royals are here to make sure that May still marks a celebration of plant life.
Members of the family took to the official Royal Family Twitter account to share their favourite blooms to mark the opening of this year's virtual show. From Delphiniums to Lily of the Valley, read on to discover the flowers loved by the Queen, Prince Charles and more. It's the perfect inspiration if you're looking to give your own garden, balcony or window box a floral update.
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The Queen: Lily of the Valley
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Buckingham Palace revealed that lily of the valley is one of the Queen’s most-loved blooms. The white, bell-shaped flowers featured in her coronation bouquet, so they hold particularly special memories for the monarch. They are also grown in the Buckingham Palace grounds.
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Prince Charles: Delphiniums
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Charles, the Prince of Wales, explained why the striking flower was his chosen favourite: "For me, the magnificent, gloriously apparelled delphinium, with its impeccable bearing and massed in platoons, holds pride of place in my botanical affections."
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Princess Anne: Hellebores
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Anne, The Princess Royal, selected Hellebores, as "not only do they flower early but they keep flowering for two months, and they are often beautifully marked with endless variations".
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The Duchess of Cornwall: Alchemilla Mollis
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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, has a soft spot for the Alchemilla Mollis. “This acid green fluffy-flowered plant is one of the best-ever foliage plants for the garden and the vase. A must for every gardener," she said.
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The Earl and Countess of Wessex: Azaleas
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Both Prince Edward and his wife Sophie chose Azaleas as their favourite flower, because they are "so breathtaking at this time of year and have the most intoxicating scent".
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The Duchess of Gloucester: Sweet Peas
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The Duchess of Gloucester revealed that the sweet pea was her favourite plant.
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The Duke of Gloucester: Daisies
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The Duke of Gloucester chose a commonplace flower as his favourite, explaining that he "enjoys digging up from between the paving stones and transferring elsewhere to grow properly and healthily".
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Princess Alexandra: Golden Celebration Rose
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Princess Alexandra, the Queen's cousin, chose the Golden Celebration Rose, as it "gives great pleasure to look at and has the most extraordinary and unique scent".