TL;DR
King Charles III opened the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show with David Beckham and Alan Titchmarsh among the high-profile attendees. The King's interest in environmental and rewilding gardens shaped his tour of the exhibits.
King Charles III formally opened the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, alongside David Beckham and television gardener Alan Titchmarsh. The King met designers behind the gardens with environmental and rewilding themes during his tour of the show.
The opening day
The Royal Horticultural Society show ran across its traditional five-day format on the Royal Hospital Chelsea site in central London. The King's visit fell on the Monday press preview, before the show opened to the public.
The Royal Household issued a brief statement noting the King's interest in the gardens highlighting biodiversity, hedgerow restoration and pollinator support, themes that align with the Sustainable Markets Initiative he founded as Prince of Wales.
Who attended on opening day
Alongside Beckham and Titchmarsh, regular Chelsea Flower Show attendees from the royal family included Queen Camilla earlier in the season and the Princess Royal, both of whom hold patronages connected to the RHS or related horticultural charities.
Sponsors with longstanding involvement, including Project Giving Back and the RHS supporters' network, were represented on opening day. Royal Hospital Chelsea pensioners provided the show's ceremonial presence around the gates.
Gardens that drew attention
The Best in Show winner is voted on by the RHS judging panel rather than by royal visitors, but the King's tour included gardens on rewilding, urban biodiversity and seed banking themes. The shortlist for the Best in Show category covered private gardens, charity gardens and trade gardens.
The Royal Horticultural Society publishes the full list of medal winners on rhs.org.uk after the judging announcements. Gold, silver-gilt, silver and bronze medals are awarded across the showpiece, trade and balcony categories.
Why the show matters
RHS Chelsea is the most prestigious horticultural show in the UK and one of the most prominent in Europe. The show brings in major sponsorships, drives gardening trends for the year ahead, and provides a platform for charity-backed gardens.
Attendance figures and media coverage feed into the wider UK gardening sector, which the Office for National Statistics estimates contributes several billion pounds to the economy each year through retail, services and tourism.
Royal patronages connected to gardening
King Charles has held longstanding patronages with the Royal Horticultural Society, the National Trust and Plantlife. His own gardens at Highgrove are open to the public for limited tours each year and fund the King Charles III Charitable Fund.
The Princess Royal is patron of the Henry Doubleday Research Association, now Garden Organic, and the Princess of Wales has shown an interest in horticulture through the Back to Nature gardens she designed earlier in her royal career.
Key facts
- King opened the press preview day at Chelsea.
- David Beckham and Alan Titchmarsh among guests.
- Royal Horticultural Society judges award medals across categories.
- Show ran five days at Royal Hospital Chelsea.
- Royal patronages include RHS, National Trust and Plantlife.
FAQ
Who attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show opening with the King?
David Beckham and Alan Titchmarsh were among the high-profile guests. The Royal Hospital Chelsea pensioners provided the ceremonial presence, and major sponsors were represented.
Which gardens drew the King's attention?
Gardens with rewilding, biodiversity and pollinator themes featured in the King's tour. The Best in Show winner is decided by the RHS judging panel rather than by royal visitors.
When does Chelsea Flower Show take place each year?
Late May, typically over five days at the Royal Hospital Chelsea site in central London. The opening day is a press preview, with the public attending from the second day.
Where can I find the full medal list?
The Royal Horticultural Society publishes results on rhs.org.uk after the judging announcements. Gold, silver-gilt, silver and bronze medals are awarded across the categories.
