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Picnics and blooms: The Chelsea Flower Show in pictures

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the most prestigious of Britain's many such shows, is under way in London.

The annual display of cutting-edge floral designs is held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

EPA A woman adjusts a floral display during preparations for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 in London, Britain, 21 May 2023.EPA

King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the gardens including The Royal Tribute Garden which featured the late Queen's favourite flowers and the King's plants from his Sandringham Estate.

PA Media King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Keith Weed, President of Royal Horticultural Society during a visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London.PA Media
Reuters Queen Camilla smells flowers at Chelsea Flower Show, in London, Britain, May 22, 2023.Reuters

Earlier in the day, Catherine, Princess of Wales, hosted a children's picnic at a newly created garden at the show.

Reuters Catherine, Princess of Wales hosts a children's picnic at a newly created garden at Chelsea Flower Show, in London, Britain, May 22, 2023.Reuters

Ten schools from the Royal Horticultural Society's school gardening campaign were invited to bring pupils along, marking the first time in the event's 110-year history that a children's picnic has taken place.

PA Media Catherine, Princess of Wales hosts a children's picnic at a newly created garden at Chelsea Flower Show, in London, Britain, May 22, 2023.PA Media

Dame Joanna Lumley posed for a photograph at the Horatio charity garden during an early viewing for special guests and the media before the show opens to the general public.

PA Media Dame Joanna Lumley poses for a photograph, during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show press day, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London. Picture date: Monday May 22, 2023.PA Media

Horatio's Garden by Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg is designed to be an immersive, restorative and accessible haven, to be viewed from a bed or from a wheelchair.

PA Media Dame Joanna Lumley with a Chelsea Pensioner, during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show press day, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London.PA Media

DJ Jo Wiley, Baroness Benjamin and Deborah Meaden also made it along to the early view.

REX/Shutterstock Jo Wiley poses for a photograph with two Chelsea Pensioners at the RHS Chelsea Flower ShowREX/Shutterstock
REX/Shutterstock Dame Floella Benjamin and Deborah Meaden at Chelsea Flower ShowREX/Shutterstock

In an historic first for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Manoj Malde, who designed the vibrant and colourful RHS and Eastern Eye Garden of Unity, married his partner Clive Gillmor in the garden on Monday morning.

REX/Shutterstock Manoj Malde, who designed the vibrant and colourful RHS and Eastern Eye Garden of Unity, married his partner Clive Gillmor, in the garden.REX/Shutterstock
REX/Shutterstock Manoj Malde, married his partner Clive Gillmor, in the RHS and Eastern Eye Garden of Unity,.REX/Shutterstock

A bronze head of King Charles III sculpted by Keziah Burt was installed as part of the garden of 'royal reflection and celebration'.

The garden was designed by Dave Green to celebrate the recent coronation.

EPA A bronze head of Britain's King Charles III installed as Part of the RHS Garden of Royal Reflection and Celebration designed by Dave Green to celebrate Britain's King Charles III's coronation, at Chelsea Flower Show in London, Britain, 22 May 2023.EPA

Exhibitors have been making last-minute adjustments to their displays before the gates open on Tuesday for the exhibition, which runs until 27 May.

EPA An exhibitor blows pollen as she adjusts a display of lilies during preparations for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 in London, Britain, 21 May 2023.EPA
EPA A detail of begonias during preparations for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 in London, Britain, 21 May 2023.EPA
EPA An exhibitor carries delphiniums during preparations for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 in London, Britain, 21 May 2023.EPA
EPA A man dusts the seed pods of the clivia plant during preparations for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 in London, Britain, 21 May 2023.EPA

Garden designer Tom Massey undertakes some pruning in the Royal Entomological Society show garden ahead of the opening.

PA Media Garden designer Tom Massey undertakes some pruning in the Royal Entomological Society show garden as preparations get underway ahead of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in LondonPA Media

Designer Jihae Hwang appeared in her Korean-inspired garden - A Letter From a Million Years Past.

PA Media Designer Jihae Hwang in her Korean inspired garden, A Letter From a Million Years Past during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show press day, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London.PA Media
PA Media The inside of a traditional Korean building in a garden called, A Letter From a Million Years Past during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show press day, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London.PA Media

TV personality Vicky Pattison slept out at the Chelsea Flower Show for Centrepoint to raise awareness about youth homelessness in the UK.

Getty Images Vicky Pattison sleeps out at the Chelsea Flower Show for Centrepoint to raise awareness about youth homelessness in the UK, on May 21, 2023 in London, England.Getty Images

The focal point of the Centrepoint Garden by designer Cleve West is a part-demolished house where nature has taken over.

Getty Images A general view of the atmosphere at the Chelsea Flower Show for Centrepoint to raise awareness about youth homelessness in the UK on May 21, 2023 in London, England.Getty Images

"The mixed planting, including so-called 'weeds' and a fallen tree, form a thriving, natural and evolving habitat, emphasising the important role a garden plays in making a house a home," says the RHS.

PA Media Preparations get underway ahead of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.PA Media
EPA A woman dusts bonsai trees during preparations for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 in London, Britain, 21 May 2023.EPA

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