Queen Elizabeth II: A Life in Gardens​

This photograph was taken by King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. He captured the then Princess Elizabeth admiring white lilies (Lilium candidum) in an unidentified garden.

The young Princess Elizabeth sometimes visited the Royal Parks with her nannies. In this photograph she takes one of her famous corgis for a walk in Hyde Park.​

During the Second World War (1939-1945) a young Princess Elizabeth joined in with the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign. This encouraged people to grow their own food at a time of national shortages. Here Princess Elizabeth (left) can be seen tending her allotment in the grounds of Windsor Castle alongside her sister, Princess Margaret. Today, there is an allotment in The Regent’s Park, very close to the Queen Elizabeth II Garden.​

This photograph captures Sea Ranger Commodore Princess Elizabeth attending a Rangers event in Hyde Park. The Sea Rangers were a naval branch of the Girl Guides and Princess Elizabeth became a member during the Second World War, when the organisation contributed to the war effort.​

In 1947, the Royal Family toured South Africa. It was on this visit that Princess Elizabeth celebrated her 21st birthday, marking the occasion with a famous speech in which she pledged: “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service”. In this photograph Princess Elizabeth (right) can be seen in Natal National Park alongside her father, King George VI, and her sister Princess Margaret.

In 1947, Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip, who became the Duke of Edinburgh on their marriage. The young couple lived in Malta from 1949 until 1951, when the Prince was serving with the Royal Navy’s Mediterranean Fleet. In this photograph Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip can be seen strolling through a garden on the island.​

This photograph captures Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip with a young Prince Charles and Princess Anne. It was taken in the garden of Clarence House in London, where the young couple lived following their marriage in 1947.

Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on 2 June 1953. Her Coronation procession travelled through central London which was filled with many thousands of well-wishers. This procession took the new Queen past three Royal Parks: Hyde Park, The Green Park and St. James’s Park. You can see the latter on the left-hand side of this photo, taken as the Queen travelled along The Mall which is also managed by The Royal Parks.

In 1959 Princess Elizabeth visited Kew Gardens, the historic botanic garden in London. She is photographed here in front of the famous Palm House. The Queen would visit Kew Gardens many times during her long reign, last attending in 2009 when she planted a ginkgo tree to mark the institution’s 250th anniversary.

After Trooping the Colour in June 1965, Queen Elizabeth II returned to Buckingham Palace on horseback alongside Prince Philip. They travelled along The Mall from Horse Guards Parade. Trooping the Colour still takes place here each summer. ​

The Queen (second from right) poses for a photograph in the Rose Garden at Chequers alongside Prime Minister Ted Heath (second from left), President Nixon and First Lady, Pat Nixon. Chequers is a historic country house in Buckinghamshire that belongs to the serving Prime Minister.​

In this photograph, the Queen greets guests at one of her summer Garden Parties held at Buckingham Palace. These well-known annual events remain an important part of the royal calendar. Invitations are extended to people from all walks of life who have made a positive impact in their community. 

In 1983, Queen Elizabeth II visited Yosemite National Park during a tour of the United States. In this photograph taken at Inspiration Point, she talks to a Park Ranger.​

In 1997 Queen Elizabeth II visited The Regent’s Park with Prince Philip. They inspected The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery at a special Royal Review.

In 2002, Queen Elizabeth II planted a tree in Hyde Park to inaugurate the celebrations for her Golden Jubilee, marking fifty years since she ascended the throne. The tree was planted along the historic route known as Rotten Row.

In this photograph Queen Elizabeth II can be seen admiring the gardens at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show. The Queen was royal patron of the RHS from 1952 and attended the annual event regularly.

At the Holly Lodge Centre in Richmond Park stands a tree planted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012. Sir David Attenborough can be seen in the background of this photograph – the famous broadcaster was a long-standing friend of the Queen. Both born in the same year, they shared a passion for the natural world.

The nation celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday in 2016. This included a procession along The Mall – the famous ceremonial route managed by The Royal Parks. 

In this photograph, Queen Elizabeth II can be seen admiring the rose-filled flower beds at Windsor Castle. On the day this was taken, she had been presented with a new Duke of Edinburgh rose, named in memory of Prince Philip who died in 2021.

In the summer of 2022, the nation came together to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s historic Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years since her accession to the throne. On 2nd June celebrations began with Trooping the Colour, the monarch’s annual birthday parade. During this special event, the Queen made an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. She looked out along The Mall and over St. James’s Park, which were filled with many thousands of well-wishers.​

Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022. Her funeral procession passed through the Royal Parks, travelling along The
Mall where so many important occasions had taken place in her life.​

The Green Park was flooded with thousands of floral tributes. These were later turned into compost which helped plants and flowers to flourish across the Royal Parks, allowing these tributes to a remarkable Queen to live on.​