It's the annual event that always attracts royalty thanks to its stunning blooms, lush gardens and beautiful plants.

The Chelsea Flower Show starts today - and this year, it will be visited by King Charles and Queen Camilla, who will get a preview of the event.

It is likely to be an engagement the couple will be very much looking forward to as they are both known for their love of gardening and the outdoors.

In fact, the mesmerising gardens at his country residence Highgrove in Gloucestershire were designed by the King himself.

A spot of gardening is something that he often gets to carry out on royal engagements as it is common to mark a royal visit by asking them to plant a tree.

Charles carries out a ritual every time he plants a tree (
Image:
PA)

This means that the King has probably planted hundreds while carrying out duties - and it seems he has a bizarre ritual every time he does it.

According to the official royal website, after planting each tree, Charles grabs one of the branches, gives it a friendly shake and wishes it well.

And it seems he loves trees so much, he built an arboretum and planted a wood at Balmoral naming it Prince George's Wood in his eldest grandson's honour.

Charles is known to be a keen gardener (
Image:
PA)

He told the BBC in 2021: "The great thing was that I managed to plant it the same year that my grandson was born, the eldest, George, so I thought I'd call it Prince George's wood."

He added: "As I get older all I really long for is to plant trees. I hope it will be quite amusing for George, as they grow up, and he grows up.”

Charles' mother the late Queen was also a fan of visiting the Chelsea Flower Show - and this year is the first since her death.

Charles with his mother the late Queen at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2009 (
Image:
Getty Images)

Unsurprisingly, various royal tributes will be featured at this year's show, including a life-size topiary display of her pony, Emma, in the Great Pavilion.

Elsewhere, there will be a display celebrating the Coronation in Dave Green's RHS A Garden Of Royal Reflection & Celebration, which is designed as a tranquil space featuring some of the Windsor family’s favourite plants.

It incorporates a palette of light pinks and whites to reflect the tastes of the late Queen.

Also featured in the garden will be the King’s favourites, including clematis ‘Duchess of Cornwall’, lupins and geraniums, while drifts of camassia, as planted in the meadows in front of Highgrove House, along with a bronze statue of the King, will be among the highlights.

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