Guernsey Press

In Pictures: Blooming shame – what you’re missing at the Chelsea Flower Show

The 2020 event has headed online but without the show gardens and celebrity fans on show.

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One of the brightest spots on the summer calendar is the Chelsea Flower Show, but this year’s cancellation sees it join the long list of events that have fallen foul to coronavirus restrictions.

Royals, celebrities and members of the public were expecting to head to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London, to see the gardens and displays.

And while there will still be an online version of the world famous show, here’s a look at some of the highlights of past years.

Coronavirus – Mon May 18, 2020
Social distancing has never been easy at the Chelsea Flower Show site– here crowds gather in 1998 (PA)

The royal family have always shown their support for the event.

 Chelsea Flower Show
The Prince of Wales smelling a Highgrove rose in 2009 (Sang Tan/PA)
Chelsea Flower Show
The Queen also visited in 1971 (PA)
 Chelsea Flower Show
The Duchess of Cambridge designed a garden in 2019 (Yui Mok/PA)
 Chelsea Flower Show
Actress Dame Judi Dench holding an apricot rose named after her in 2017 (Victoria Jones/PA)

The event is held each year at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, where the grounds are transformed into displays and shops selling everything from plants to garden equipment.

Chelsea Flower Show
The gates to the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in 2008 (top) and last week when it would usually be busy with construction work ahead of opening (Lewis Whyld/Victoria Jones/PA)
Chelsea Flower Show
Becky Frost making the final floral arrangements on the Marks and Spencer display in 2017 (PA)
 Chelsea Flower Show
Synchronised swimmers perform in a pond in 2015 (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
Chelsea Flower Show
Rain failed to dampen the excitement in 2006 (PA)
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