Camilla does not hesitate to declare in public a hidden desire of hers that sees King Charles out of an important role.
A few days ago, the Queen Consort attended a visit to the Garden Museum London, defining it “such a special place“. While admiring an exhibition dedicated to the gardens associated with the women artists of the famous Bloomsbury Group, she confessed that her last visit to him was the third in that place in 12 months.
She addressed the audience at the event – which included the TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh, president of the museum, and the royal florist Shane Connolly – in an impromptu speech, confessing to them how he would happily assume the patronage of the institution.
Queen Camilla jokes about “stealing” King Charles’ patronage of a “special” museum
Camilla, during her visit to Garden Museum, London he made a joke about the possibility of take away her husband’s patronage, with gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh saying he would be happy to see them both in the role. Queen Camilla joked about “shunning” King Charles III from his role as patron of a museum she can’t help but visit.
The Queen joked about wanting “subtract” that role to the monarch, saying “I don’t know how many visits I’ve made here, quite a few. My husband is a supporter of it, but I might have to nudge him, I’d really like to take that role away from him. It’s such a special place that every time I’m asked, I love coming back and I think this wonderful exhibition celebrating women in gardening is so important“.
He added, addressing Titchmarsh: “I’m so happy that you’re celebrating all the women who are great gardeners, because we love gardening. Very often it’s men who are celebrated and not women, so I think you’re doing a brilliant job here.” The king and queen took on a series of new patronages following the official coronation of King Charles in 2023, with 492 patronages previously held by Queen Elizabeth II, dividing them among themselves. However, King Charles has been patron of the Garden Museum since he was Prince of Wales, having taken up the role in 2021.
After the visit, Mr Titchmarsh praised the Queen’s gardening skills and said he would be happy if “one or both” the king and the queen served as patrons. Speaking of the Queen’s private home in Gloucestershirand, he said it has a “wonderful” space for gardening.
He said: “She is a great gardener and I know that Ray Mill is a wonderful retreat for her with its garden.” before adding: “We would be very happy to have the Queen and the King as patrons, or both. We love that she loves to come“.
