News
The Duchess opens the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens’ Plant Heritage Marquee at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
7th July 2008
The Duchess of Cornwall opened a plant conservation marquee at the annual Hampton Court Palace Flower Show today.
The Duchess, who, alongside her husband The Prince of Wales, is known as a keen gardener, chatted knowledgeably with exhibitors as she walked around the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens (NCCPG) tent.
The NCCPG conserves the diversity of the UK’s plant heritage through its national collections. Prior to the existence of the NCCPG in 1978, the UK was at risk of losing some of its most precious and historic cultivated plants due to disease, fashion, complacency and the pressures of commerce.
This is Her Royal Highness’s first visit to Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and is in honour of the 30th anniversary of The National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens (NCCPG). The Prince of Wales, who is Patron of the NCCPG, is a Holder of two National Collections: Beeches and Hostas, both at Highgrove.
The Duchess arrived at the showground and once inside the show tent, was introduced to members of the NCCPG by the Vice President, Lady Hamilton of Dalzell, and Chairman, David Goodchild.
The occasion marked The Duchess’s first visit to Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and was in honour of the 30th anniversary of the flower conservation society.
After she cut the ribbon to officially open the marquee, The Duchess was given a tour of the exhibits inside.
One of the first stops was a dianthus stall, where Her Royal Highness was presented with a "pink Camilla" by growers Elaine and Mark Trenear, of the Southview Nursery.
Accepting the gift, The Duchess said: "Very nice, it is exciting to have something like this.
"I hope I can manage to keep it thriving."
Explaining her choice of gift, Mrs Trenear said: "The Prince quite often has a pink in his pocket hole. The Duchess was delighted."
From there, Her Royal Highness was given a whistle-stop tour through an array displays including poppies, roses and passionflowers.
Of special interest for The Duchess was a display of hostas, as The Prince of Wales has the National Collection of hostas in his organic garden at Highgrove.
Before leaving, The Duchess was presented with a basket of lavender and a bag full of thyme.
"Oh wonderful," Her Royal Highness said, thanking her host.
The flower show opens to the public tomorrow.
During the six-day event, around 160,000 people are expected to view some 650 stalls.