The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has partnered with The King’s Foundation to put on a display of the charity’s Royal Signatures at The King’s Foundation’s London exhibition space, The Garrison Chapel, just a two-minute walk from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Running from 15th to 23rd May, the free-to-enter exhibit coincides with the world’s leading horticultural show, enabling visitors to take in a piece of horticultural history.
On display will be an array of beautiful floral paintings signed by royal patrons and honorary fellows throughout history, including signatures from Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and His Majesty King Charles III. Also part of the exhibit is a behind-the-scenes tour of the RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden, which will be showcased at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
More than 40 decorative Royal Signatures have been created, each featuring flowers and plants that were associated with the signatory’s family, country or horticultural interests. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were particularly enthusiastic supporters of the RHS, persuading members of their extended family and the European monarchy to join as honorary members and sign paintings.
The most recent piece, commissioned for King Charles III to celebrate His Majesty becoming the RHS’ Royal Patron in 2024, features a range of plants inspired by The King’s favourites. With a palette of gold, crimson, vivid pink, coral pink, light mauve and purple, the plants featured include magnolia, flowering dogwood, geranium, narcissi and crocus.
King George VI became Royal Patron of the RHS in 1936 when he was crowned King and his painting is dated shortly after this, featuring a bell-flower cultivar. Queen Elizabeth (later The Queen Mother) was a keen and knowledgeable gardener and a regular visitor to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The painting featuring her signature depicts a simple arrangement of magnolia, rose and lilac branches.
Fiona Davison, RHS Head of Libraries, said: “We’re delighted to make this remarkable collection accessible to the public at The Garrison Chapel during one of the most celebrated weeks in the horticultural calendar. The Royal Signatures beautifully illustrate the depth of royal engagement with the RHS over generations and their long‑standing appreciation of gardens and the natural world. It has been fantastic working with The King’s Foundation to bring this to life, in celebration of the Curious Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower show this year.”
Rhea Buffini, Gallery Manager, The Garrison Chapel, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Royal Horticultural Society to bring this exciting collection to the Chapel, and we hope to welcome lots of visitors to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show which is taking place just next door. It is particularly special to be partnering with the RHS this year given The King’s Foundation Curious Garden will be taking centre stage at the Show, so I encourage anyone attending the Flower Show to pay us a visit to discover more about our work and the beautiful collection belonging to the RHS. We look forward to seeing you soon!”
The exhibition is open from 11am-6pm daily between 15th May and 23rd May at The King’s Foundation Garrison Chapel, Chelsea Barracks, 8 Garrison Square, London, SW1W 8BG
