Mary Berry once camped in King Charles’s Garden

Mary Berry once camped in King Charles’s Garden

Dame Mary Berry is a national treasure in British society, frequently dubbed the Queen of Cakes and adored across generations for her warm personality and culinary skills.

She often attends the same events as members of the Royal Family, and received her damehood from then-Prince Charles in 2021.

Prince William even surprised Dame Mary with a special video message to mark her 90th birthday last year, which she described as “totally overcoming”.

What is less well known, Dame Mary revealed this week, is her association with a special royal property that is dear to King Charles.

Highgrove House in Gloucestershire was bought by the then-prince in 1980, and he has meticulously developed its world-class sustainable and organic gardens for over 40 years.

Long before King Charles acquired the estate, Dame Mary and a friend were permitted to camp in the grounds in the early 1950s.

The owner, thought to be Lt. Col. Francis Mitchell, a commander of the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, allowed the teenagers to use the upstairs bathtub during their expedition.

Dame Mary remarked that the bathtub was gigantic and brass, and needed a heavy plunger to operate the drain.

She wondered whether the now King and Queen still own the luxury item, and whether the tub is still in use today.

Royal sources are remaining tight-lipped.

King to invite birthday twins of Queen Elizabeth II to Buckingham Palace

To mark 100 years since Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, Buckingham Palace has announced a series of engagements to commemorate the late monarch’s life and legacy.

The finale is expected to be a poignant reception attended by members of the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace with a special twist.

King Charles has invited members of the public who share the same birthday as Queen Elizabeth, April 21, 1926, to join in the celebrations.

As the birthday cake is served, His Majesty will present the centenarians with their centenary cards in person.

Citizens of Commonwealth realms or UK Overseas Territories are eligible for a 100th birthday card from King Charles III.

The reception is likely to be held in the Marble Hall of Buckingham Palace, and guests will also include representatives from a selection of Her Late Majesty’s patronages, including Cancer Research UK, British Red Cross Society, Jockey Club, Royal Kennel Club and the Army Benevolent Fund.

Meanwhile, the Princess Royal will officially open the Queen Elizabeth II Garden in Regent’s Park: a new two-acre space for tranquil, fully-accessible reflection.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will also join the King and Queen at the British Museum to view the final design for the national memorial of the late Queen, planned for St James’s Park.

The winning design by Lord Norman Foster will feature a “family of gardens” and a new cast-glass Unity Bridge, inspired by Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding tiara.

The King and Queen are also expected to view the Royal Collection Trust exhibition, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style.

The exhibition in the King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace features over 300 items that Queen Elizabeth wore throughout her life.

Kensington Palace has not confirmed the Prince and Princess of Wales’ attendance, but it is thought they are likely to take part in commemorations.

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COURTNEY LOUISE PHOTOGRAPHY

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COURTNEY LOUISE PHOTOGRAPHY

Chelsea Flower Show look ahead

For the first time in history, the King’s Foundation is collaborating with the Royal Horticultural Society on a special project.

The King’s Foundation was set up by His Majesty to work towards a world where humans live in harmony with nature.

The charity also provides 15,000 students every year with the chance to learn practical skills, rooted in tradition and nature, that are at risk of dying out with the older generations.

You may have noticed reports over the Easter weekend that King Charles signed off plans for the Curious Garden, which will be on display at the Chelsea Flower Show next month.

His Majesty, King’s Foundation ambassador Sir David Beckham and King’s Foundation and RHS Ambassador Alan Titchmarsh CBE came together at Highgrove to green-light designs by Frances Tophill.

From those who observed the meeting, I understand the King and Sir David have a particularly warm friendship; they share the same passions – gardening, horticulture and beekeeping.

The designs feature a nod to the former football star; seven raised plant beds represent the number 7 shirt Sir David wore when playing for Manchester United and the English National Team.

Other features include an oak “museum of curiosities”, an Artist’s Easel created by the King’s Foundation’s Snowdon School of Furniture and Delphiniums grown by the RHS at its Wisley Garden – His Majesty is Patron of the Delphinium Society.

The idea behind the RHS and the King’s Foundation Curious Garden is to encourage all of us to discover the joys of gardening, and the “vital contribution plants make to the health of people, places and planet.”

Garden Designer, Frances Tophill, said: “I’m so excited to share my first garden for RHS Chelsea Flower Show. With input from His Majesty The King, Alan Titchmarsh and Sir David Beckham, I’ve had a lot of fun incorporating elements both celebrating their involvement and ideas they have contributed.”

“With sustainability front and central for His Majesty, there are no man-made materials being used in the garden, and it will be a concrete free construction. As per The King’s Foundation ethos and education programmes, we will be showcasing artisan crafts and skills, including a very beautiful Artist Easel created by alumni from the charity’s furniture school.”