Queen Camilla, aged 76, recently paid a visit to London’s Garden Museum, marking her third trip to the museum in just over a year.
During her visit, she explored a new exhibition focusing on gardens linked to prominent women from the Bloomsbury group of artists.
Queen Camilla at the Garden Museum in London
In a spontaneous speech to the attendees, including TV presenter and royal florist Shane Connolly, the Queen humorously remarked, “I don’t know how many visits I’ve paid here – quite a lot. I know my husband’s the patron, but I might have to nudge him aside; I’d love to take on that role myself.”
She praised the museum, calling it “such a special place” and expressing her delight in returning often, especially for exhibitions celebrating women’s contributions to gardening.
“It’s wonderful that you’re celebrating all these great women gardeners,” she said. “We often hear about the men, but women love gardening just as much, and you’re doing an excellent job here.”
The Queen’s love for gardening is well-known, as is King Charles’. Alan Titchmarsh, a renowned gardener, spoke warmly of Camilla’s private home in Gloucestershire, Ray Mill.
“She’s a great gardener, and Ray Mill is a wonderful retreat with her own garden,” he said.
Titchmarsh also expressed his enthusiasm about having both the Queen and the King as patrons, emphasizing how much they appreciate her visits.
Shane Connolly, who designed the flowers for Charles and Camilla’s wedding in 2005 and their coronation, also shared his admiration.
“It’s wonderful because they’re both passionate gardeners. Having patrons who understand and love gardening is fantastic. They recognize that gardening isn’t just for those with large estates; it’s for everyone, offering therapeutic benefits.”
The exhibition Camilla toured is titled “Gardening Bohemia: Bloomsbury Women Outdoors.” It features paintings, photographs, and other artifacts related to the gardens of writer Virginia Woolf, her sister the painter Vanessa Bell, garden designer and poet Vita Sackville-West, and photographer Lady Ottoline Morrell.
These women used their gardens as sanctuaries to express their creativity and challenge traditional ideas about home and relationships.
Camilla’s visit highlighted her deep appreciation for the Garden Museum and its efforts to honor the contributions of women in gardening. Her humorous hint about taking over her husband’s patronage role added a personal touch to the event.