The Queen is an avid gardener.
In 2021, Her Majesty (when she was The Duchess of Cornwall) made a special guest appearance on BBC Two’s Gardeners’ World with Monty Don.
You can go into a garden and you can completely lose yourself, you don’t have to think about anything else, you’re surrounded by nature, you’ve got birds singing, you’ve got bees buzzing about—there is something very healing about gardens.
As The Duchess of Cornwall, Her Majesty became Patron of Floral Angels in 2016. Run entirely by volunteers, the charity recycles and reuses flowers from events to prevent waste and deliver bouquets to those in the community who would not normally receive flowers, such as hospices, elderly care homes, and shelters.
The Queen has paid regular visits to The Garden Museum and often supports British Flower Week - an initiative which celebrates British growers and florists across the UK.
When we are all searching for something to brighten our lives, there is nothing that can lift our spirits more than our native flowers and plants. They are nature’s healers. In our gardens, in our window boxes, or even in just a simple vase, their glorious scents and myriad of colours are veritable life enhancers.
In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, British Flowers Week, run by New Covent Garden Market, asked members of the public to join celebrations by placing British grown flowers in their windows, front porch or gate where passer-by could see them.
Her Majesty joined the initiative, in creating her very own arrangement of flowers grown and picked at her home in Birkhall. The bouquet includes forgot-me-nots, cranesbill, Alchemilla, tulips, peonies, poppies, cow parsley and Solomon’s Seal.
Each year, Their Majesties attend Sandringham Flower Show, which takes place in July at Sandringham Park. It features steam engines, local produce, community stalls and fairground rides among its many attractions. The profits from each show are donated to local charities.
During their time at the Show, Their Majesties tour marquees, which house competitions in vegetables, fruit, flowers and floral art.
The King and Queen also often attend Chelsea Flower Show. In 2023, Their Majesties attended the show to honour the memory of The late Queen Elizabeth II with a new medial in tribute to her 70-year reign.
The medal was created in recognition of the length of The late Queen's reign and allows the Royal Horticultural Society Council to honour the leading lights of gardening. Their Majesties presented the first medals in the 'Garden of Royal Reflection and Celebration' to garden designer Piet Oudolf; Baroness Janet Fookes, who is a champion of horticulture in Parliament; and environmental champion Judy Ling Wong.
The Queen enjoys producing her own honey at home in Wiltshire, which is sold at Fortnum & Mason to raise money for charity. Most recently, funds raised by the honey were donated to Mirabel, Nigeria’s first Sexual Assault Referral Centre, of which Her Majesty became Patron in 2021.
As The Duchess of Cornwall, Her Majesty also became Patron of Jamie's Farm and, in 2022, visited the Monmouth farm, the final site having visited all of the charity's other farms.
Jamie’s Farm helps young people to flourish at home and in the community through a weeklong residential programme, designed to offer opportunities for achievement by taking on real farmyard jobs.
The Queen frequents vineyards, both in the UK and overseas, in her role as President of Wine GB.
Having been in the wine world for a long time, as my father was involved for so many years, it is a sort of natural step to come and be a part of it. I know wherever he is today he would be very proud to see me holding this glass of British wine.
During their State Visit to France in 2023, Their Majesties visited Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte vineyard, to learn about about sustainable vineyard practices in the Bordeaux wine producing region.
Since 2013, The Queen has been Patron of The Big Lunch, which takes place annually to bring communities together to share food and company. The initiative aims to boost community spirit, reduce loneliness and support charities and good causes.
During Their Majesties' Coronation weekend, members of the public were encouraged to host and attend their own Big Lunch - and The King and Queen released their own special recipe for a 'Coronation Quiche'.
