King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended the opening day of the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Sandringham Flower Show, held for the first time under the Society’s management on the royal estate in Norfolk. The event is scheduled to run through Sunday, with plans for the RHS to host it on the estate every three years going forward.

The King and Queen arrived in a horse-drawn carriage to a large, enthusiastic crowd. King Charles, dressed in a light-colored suit and carrying a walking stick, made a point of engaging with attendees during a walkabout. During a brief encounter with local schoolchildren, the King spoke to them about gardening and recommended spinach as an excellent vegetable, describing it as “the best thing in the world.” Charles has previously expressed fondness for sprouts and leeks. During the walkabout, he also had a close encounter with a bee, which briefly buzzed near him.

The royal couple participated in award presentations, with Charles handing out a biodiversity prize and Camilla awarding a certificate to a local primary school for an upcycled bee-themed exhibit. The Queen praised the exhibit as “absolutely charming” and noted the considerable effort involved.

The RHS’s decision to take over the Sandringham Flower Show follows a long history of the event in the Norfolk village, which dates back to 1881 and has traditionally been managed by a local trust. While the RHS show will be held on the royal estate triennially, the original Sandringham Flower Show is set to return to the village for 2027 and 2028.