The Royal Horticultural Society has unveiled a new botanical painting, known as a ‘Royal Signature’, to celebrate His Majesty King Charles III becoming the charity’s Royal Patron and inspiring many to experience the joy of gardening.
The botanical artwork was presented to The King at Sandringham this week, where His Majesty signed the painting. The King has a lifelong passion for gardening and continues the enduring relationship between the Royal Family and the RHS, becoming its fifteenth Royal Patron in 2024.
The new artwork will join a series of more than 40 historic works, all signed by members of the Royal Family, dating back over 200 years to 1816. Each artwork was commissioned at landmark moments in the lives of the charity’s Royal Patrons. Queen Charlotte, consort to King George III, became the first Royal Patron of the RHS and a special painting from artist William Hooker was commissioned and signed by The Queen.
King Charles III’s new Royal Signature has been created by botanical artist Gillian Barlow and features calligraphy by Timothy Noad MBE, including the Royal Coat of Arms. The beautiful painting features a range of plants inspired by The King’s favourites, which are all growing in the new gardens at Sandringham.
The painting’s main colour palette is gold, with touches of crimson, vivid pink, coral pink, light mauve and purple and the plants featured include: Magnolia sprengeri, Magnolia campbellii, Quercus rubra ‘Bolte’s Gold’, Acer palmatum ‘Sango-Kaku’, Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’, Lindera obtusiloba, Geranium pratense ‘Wisley Blue’, Acer × conspicuum ‘Phoenix’, Cornus‘Norman Hadden’, Geranium sanguineum, Geranium × oxonianum, Corydalis flexuosa, Narcissus ‘February Silver', Narcissus‘Jetfire’ and Crocus.
Clare Matterson, Director General of the RHS, said: “We are incredibly honoured that His Majesty The King has become our charity’s Patron. This painting marks over 200 years of Royal patronage and is testament to the Royal Family’s true love of gardening and its enduring relationship with the RHS."
"We’re thrilled that the painting will bring a flavour of Sandringham’s gardens to our members and visitors, especially as we look forward to the first ever RHS Flower Show at the Sandringham Estate in 2026.”
More than 40 decorative Royal Signatures have been created. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were particularly enthusiastic supporters of the RHS. They persuaded members of their extended family and the European monarchy to join as honorary members and sign paintings. The delicate works feature flowers and plants that were associated with the signatory’s family, country or horticultural interests.
King George VI became Royal Patron of the RHS in 1936 when he was crowned King and his painting is dated shortly after this, featuring a bell-flower cultivar. Queen Elizabeth (later The Queen Mother) was a keen and knowledgeable gardener and a regular visitor to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The painting featuring her signature depicts a simple arrangement of magnolia, rose and lilac branches.
The piece commissioned for Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee in 2022 features early summer flowers such as foxgloves, wisteria, clematis and irises which would be in bloom in early June at the time of her jubilee.
A copy of King Charles III’s Royal Signature will join the current exhibition of Royal Signature paintings at the Sandringham Estate. This stunning collection of 25 signatures is on display for the first time in the beautiful surroundings of the Ballroom in Sandringham House, until 11 October 2025. Copies of The King’s Royal Signature will be displayed within RHS libraries at RHS Garden Wisley, RHS Garden Harlow Carr and the RHS Lindley Library, in London, from the 30 July 2025.
