Queen at forefront of great Chelsea invasion

But yesterday it was the turn of the great and good to marvel at the spectacular mix of nature and design on display at this year’s Chelsea Flower show.

Displays at the world-famous event include floral arches built to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. And fittingly enough she was one of the first to visit along with her family.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were making their first visit to the horticultural show and they were joined by Prince Harry, whose charity Sentebale entered a show garden last year.

The Duke of Edinburgh walked around without the Queen and with a minimal entourage, stopping to look at gardens and stands that took his interest. One of the highlights of her tour came when the monarch was photographed behind a cut-out of her own head, filled with flowers.

Speaking afterwards designer, Ming Veevers Carter, told how she spoke to the Queen. “I said ‘Did you like it?’ She said, ‘Yes, it’s very nice’. I said ‘Thank you’ because we did it specially in honour of her. I was a bit worried, in case she said, ‘What the hell were you thinking of?’”

Visitors to the show will see the Belmond British Pullman train carriage as part of a 6,000sq ft planted-up station in the Grand Pavilion, a garden inside a sculpture, and a field of handmade poppies as a tribute to those who have served in war.

There is also an acoustic garden inspired by world-leading percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie which will play musical notes to visitors, and a garden of bizarre gadgetry by Diarmuid Gavin which comes to life every 15 minutes.

As ever there is also a Yorkshire flavour to the event. Welcome to Yorkshire’s God’s Own County – A Garden for Yorkshire has been designed by Matthew Wilson and is said to showcase the “county’s stunning scenery, iconic heritage, deep-rooted industries and skilled tradespeople”. Taking inspiration from the medieval Great East Window at York Minster, the garden features a panel of stained glass made using the same methods employed in 1405. The planting on the upper level is said to celebrate the woodland gardens in the county.

Another garden which takes a little of its inspiration from the region is the Modern Slavery Garden by Juliet Sargeant. It marks the passing of the Modern Slavery Act.

The designer said hope is depicted in the form of an English oak tree, as it was under such a tree that Hull campaigner William Wilberforce stood when he dedicated his life to ending slavery in the 1800s.

Famous names from film and television were also among yesterday’s guests at the show.

Actress Rosamund Pike showed off her green fingers as she helped celebrate the 150th anniversary of children’s charity Barnardo’s.

Pike introduced the new Syrie Rose, from Harkness Roses, named after the wife of founder Thomas Barnardo.

Mary Berry from The Great British Bake Off was also at the show to reveal a new rose named after her. She said she was “honoured” to have given her name to the Mary Berry Rose.