His Majesty, 77, invited football star Sir David, along with Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Ambassador Alan Titchmarsh and garden designer Frances Tophill to put the finishing touches to their very special Chelsea Flower Show ‘Curious Garden’ that they hope will celebrate and encourage the public’s curiosity in gardening and spending time in nature.
Both dressed smartly with jackets, ties with folded pocket handkerchiefs, the two men – who have formed an unlikely friendship in recent years – looked delighted to be getting stuck in to the designs.
The meeting took place last week in Gloucestershire and saw the group agree to install a beehive in the garden, inspired by both The King and Sir David’s enthusiasm for beekeeping and producing natural honey.
Other design elements already announced for the garden include an easel created by Snowdon School of Furniture Graduate Eleanor Pickin, who met those involved in the garden design at the Highgrove furniture workshops, seven raised beds to nod to Sir David’s iconic football shirt number, as well as special roses by David Austin Roses for The King, Sir David and Alan Titchmarsh.
Aides said that the group are ‘united by a love for gardening and the outdoors, and the hope that a new generation of young people will consider careers in horticulture in their future’.
The project, which is being organised by The RHS and The King’s Foundation charity, will see the finished garden unveiled at the world-famous flower show on the banks of the River Thames in May.
The King is Royal Founding President of The King’s Foundation and has enjoyed a life-long passion for horticulture, creating his own oasis at Highgrove, his country retreat.
Garden trainees and apprentices from both RHS Wisley and Highgrove Gardens have been involved in the Curious Garden project and will assist with building the garden on site at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
As part of the meeting last week at Highgrove, the King heard from the budding horticulturalists about their excitement around the project.
Following the meeting, Sir David, 50, a King’s Foundation Ambassador, said: ‘Both The King’s Foundation and the RHS do such great work in protecting and promoting green spaces across the UK.
‘I want to help encourage a new generation to appreciate the benefits of nature and get involved in gardening.
‘It’s been fun to be a part of creating the Curious Garden and I’m excited for people to see it at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.’
Alan Titchmarsh, also a King’s Foundation and RHS Ambassador, added: ‘As a long-time supporter of both the RHS and The King’s Foundation, I am delighted to lend my horticultural expertise to the Curious Garden.
Curiosity is really the beginning of any gardening journey – and certainly that’s how I began my career – so I hope this work inspires a new generation of gardeners to explore their talents through the incredible training and work experience schemes available via the RHS and The King’s Foundation.’
Frances Tophill revealed it was her first garden design for Chelsea and she had been spending a lot of time at Highgrove seeking inspiration from the estate and its creator, the King.
‘It has been inspiring to spend time at Highgrove and learn more about His Majesty’s approach to gardening and how he incorporates his Harmony philosophy into all of the work that takes place there – which we have brought to the designs for the garden,’ she said.
‘I can’t wait to share the Curious Garden with the world.’
Although born and bred a city boy, Sir David’s new-found love for horticulture and the countryside has earned him a legion of unlikely fans, including the monarch.
Since he bought a 24-acre Cotswolds estate near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, he has regularly shared his joy of gardening via his social media channels.
The King’s Foundation is His Majesty’s nature and sustainability charity.
The organisation offers education programmes for young people in traditional, sustainable skills and outdoor learning, as well as managing and developing gardens on behalf of His Majesty, including those at Highgrove, Dumfries House and the Castle of Mey.