2015 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in bloom with exclusive preview gala celebration
A select group of Londoners, including several wellknown City figures, got an exclusive sneak peek at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last night, ahead of its opening today. Attendees at the Charity Gala Preview enjoyed champagne, canapes and music, as well as the chance to rub shoulders with the Queen.
The Queen attended yesterday's event
Prince Harry was also in attendance
Among the City names to put in an appearance were Rory Macnamara, former Morgan Grenfell director and recent addition to the board of Alliance Trust, as well as Rocco Forte, owner of the luxury hotel group of the same name. Also in attendance was Lakshmi Mittal, the Indian steel magnate who owns a 34 per cent stake in Queens Park Rangers.
Rory Macnamara, newly appointed Alliance Trust director
Hotelier Rocco Forte
Former racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart
The preview event is held in aid of the Royal Horticultural Society, the charity behind the annual Chelsea Flower Show. The RHS is the UK’s leading gardening charity, dedicated to inspiring people to get into gardening and providing them the skills to be better gardeners.
A visitor enjoys a first look at the displays
Another guest takes in the flowers
Designer Matt Keightley with a Chelsea pensioner as he visits the "Hope in Vulnerability" garden