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Royals and Beckham attend Chelsea Flower Show

Rachel Hagan
BBC News
Watch: King Charles greets Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show

The Chelsea Flower show opened its gates to royalty and celebrities on Monday, with dogs, unusually, taking the spotlight.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla were among the first to tour the gardens on display, being joined by famous figures like football icon David Beckham and actress Cate Blanchett.

This year's event favours rewilding and sustainability, with mossy paving, native planting and gravel paths.

Designers leaned into natural landscapes shaped by climate change and a growing desire to reconnect with nature.

Reuters King Charles, patron of the Royal Horticultural Society, and Queen Camilla are met by Keith Weed, president of the RHS, as they arrive to visit the Chelsea Flower ShowReuters
The King is a patron of the Royal Horticultural Society
PA Media Queen Camilla holds roses called "The King's Rose", of David Austin Roses, during a visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in LondonPA Media
Queen Camilla was among the first to tour the gardens

But it was not just the planting that got people talking. The RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden, created by Monty Don, gave four-legged visitors rare top billing.

Created with canine comfort in mind, it features dog-friendly lawns, water for wallowing and shade-providing trees. Names of royal and broadcaster-owned dogs are etched into brick paths – including the late Beth, the Queen's Jack Russell, her new puppy Moley and the King's dog Snuff.

PA Media Dame Joanna Lumley poses at the Burncoose Nurseries stall at the RHS Chelsea Flower ShowPA Media
The actress Dame Joanna Lumley was among those getting a preview of the event
Reuters Gardening expert Monty Don plays with his dog, Ned, at the RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden at the Chelsea Flower ShowReuters
Monty Don played with his dog Ned

Don, not usually a fan of show gardens, said the chance to celebrate the dog-owner bond had won him over.

The garden will not be judged and will not stay. After Chelsea, it will find a permanent home at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

Along with Beckham and Blanchett, Dame Joanna Lumley and actor David Tennant were among those getting a preview of the world-famous event, along with BBC presenter Zoe Ball.