Here are some photos of Prince Harry at the annual Chelsea Flower Show, where he had his first-ever charity garden opening. Harry organized his garden for Sentebale, his Lesotho charity which helps fund HIV/AIDS treatments. So many members of his family came out to support him! Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla were there. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip were there too, as well as Prince Andrew and his daughters (although I don’t have photos of Andrew and the girls).
There were charmingly affectionate scenes at the Chelsea Flower Show today, as Prince Harry warmly greeted his family with kisses as they attended the opening of his charity garden. It was something of a family jolly for the royals at today’s VIP opening, and aside from the glorious displays of blooms, it was a chance to offer a show of support to the unexpected garden designer – Prince Harry.
The 28-year-old helicopter pilot was at Chelsea for the first time with his charity Sentebale, which hopes its African-inspired garden will highlight its work aids orphans in the impoverished kingdom of Lesotho. It is the first time that Sentebale has undertaken such a project and the prince has been closely involved in its creation – even examining designs emailed to him by designer Jinny Blom while stationed on the frontline in Afghanistan.
First up was Uncle Andrew and his daughter, Princess Beatrice, who said afterwards: ‘I think it is beautiful and loved the story behind it.’ Next was Uncle Edward – who had to be torn away from the strimmer display, according to Harry – with his father and step-mother hot on his heels.
Charles looked proud as punch at his son’s efforts and told him: ‘This is the great garden is it, after all that effort? I was wondering if it didn’t exist.’
Harry couldn’t resist jesting with his father: ‘If there is anything here which might catch your eye we could probably come to a deal. You can’t have it, but we can come to a deal.’
‘A deal?! ‘ said Charles with mock outrage.
The Prince of Wales then joked that the large round stone that is one of the main features of the garden could be a dance floor. It was only then that Harry noticed his grandfather, Prince Philip, waiting to come in.
‘Looking they’re even queuing,’ he joked. When Charles failed to notice the other VIP guest, Harry ribbed him: ‘Err, pa, meet your father!’, prompting Charles to look up with an exclamation of surprise.
‘You were meant to be looking at strimmers and tractors, Grandpa, I didn’t know you were coming. Fantastic!’ said Harry. ‘Hopefully you like it. You’ve been coming here for years and your opinion is highly regarded.’
The prince even teased Philip that a circular stone centrepiece to his garden span round with flashing lights rather like a nightclub podium.
‘Really?’ Philip enquired earnestly.
‘No, Grandpa, they wouldn’t let us,’ Harry joked.
Last to arrive was the Queen who delighted at her grandson’s efforts but apparently told Harry to send a few plants to his father’s Stumpery at Highgrove as he ‘needed a bit of greenery’.
When the Queen stood with her grandson on the stone circle, which is decorated with hearts and crowns, he told her: “Pa thought it was going to spin round – but sadly it doesn’t.’
Sentebale was set up by Harry in 2006 following a gap year visit to the tiny – and hugely impoverished – African kingdom of Lesotho. He was so moved by the experience that he vowed to spend the rest of his life helping the youngest victims of the country’s HIV/AIDS epidemic. In a country of just 1.8 million people, 23 per cent of adults are HIV positive and their life expectancy has plummeted to just 41 – leaving almost a generation orphaned.
The name Sentebale was chosen as it means ‘forget me not’ in the language of Lesotho, a tribute to both Harry’s mother and that of the children themselves. The charity hopes that by showing at Chelsea it will raise its profile and fundraising activities. The garden’s creator, Jinny Blom, said she had been inspired by the landscape of Lesotho itself as well as Harry’s experience of losing his mother Diana, Princess of Wales A pattern of hearts and crowns has been engraved on a circular terrace in the garden, acting as a memorial to the late princess.
Did anyone else get a little choked up about the Princess Diana stuff? Just me? I love the way Harry remembers his mother – it feels like his memories, his living memories of her are of the impact she made on the world, what she represented to people in a larger sense. It’s odd that Prince William doesn’t seem to remember Diana in the same way – to William, his mother seems to be merely a cautionary tale of how not to behave, or as a prop to be used to get his own way.
Also: is anyone surprised that Harry greets his stepmother with such affection? I do love that he kisses his dad though.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I’m starting to really love this gingercake. Aw.
I think that while Harry absolutely loves loves his own mother, he acknowledges the tough position his father was in when he married her… He was with Camilla first and probably loved her the whole time he was married to Diana
So maybe Harry has grown to like Camilla for making his dad truly happy?
He and William have both said they like her because she makes Charles happy. Harry flat out said once that she isnt the evil stepmother that the press so desperately wants her to be.
Lex
M nailed it. Harry is well adjusted. Add the gossip and truth of his parents, her public death, and growing up pretty much in the public eye he’s extremely well adjusted! I love him more and more seeing what he’s done recently.
And these photos are crazy cute! They really look so happy to be there and support Harry.
This is why – naked pool playing photos be damned – he gets all the girls. He’s adorable and you forgive all the other stuff.
Then there are those of us who don’t think he did anything wrong at all by playing naked pool.
I’d have played. Without cell phones around of course.
It was exactly the kind of thing my friends and I did in our mid-20s. Of course, cell phones couldn’t take pictures then, but still. He did nothing wrong.
It shows that he’s everyone favorite family member, I don’t think that they were all obliged to come but they did. Or it could be that they understood that Harry is the public and the media favorite royality and they want to be seen with him so that they can win some favor from the public.
I think it’s more of a show of support. I also think it’s pretty telling that W&K or just Will didn’t show up when everyone else (pretty much) did. If anyone needs that goodwill its W&K.
Harry is a darling and the way he honors his mother’s memory by having a big heart is beautiful.
It’s certainly odd that The Duke and Duchess of Lazy didn’t show their mugs at this photo op. Will was with Harry earlier that day at another charity event… But Kate? We know she’s not doing anything but shopping. What’s her excuse?
Kate’s taking private cooking lessons from one of the chefs as I understand it. She’s learning how to cook Italian.
Honestly, if this is true it’s fine. She should be refining her appearance skills though. Her meals are taken care of and she’s often at home with her parents anyways. This is either busy work or another claim that can’t be supported by evidence. Like how her PR said she was making many private visits to her charities. That was fine until a charity said they hadn’t seen her since her initial visit a year ago.
She is a month away from giving birth though so she’s due a little slack even though it’s her same behavior as always only this time she’s pregnant so she has an excuse not to show.
Brainstorm! Maybe she was asked not to come? Her latest short hemlines and no panty hose may have rub the Queen the wrong way… With her outfits she does seem more of an attention grabber than letting Harry do his thing and be supportive. Or again, maybe it’s just the 8months pregnant bit.
Harry’s a natural. There was, over at DM, another picture of the Queen looking at him adoringly. He’s obviously a family favorite. And his affection for them brings out their affection for him in public.
Willy, well that’s another story.
And yes, I think he’s grown to appreciate how happy Camilla makes his father. Regardless of the history.
I think it’s amazing how much more like a ‘normal’ family they seem in these pictures. It’s like the force of Harry’s personality allows them all to be more unreserved with each other. It’s delightful!
I saw that photo too. I love it when there’s a photo of the Queen with a genuine smile, and she had one when she saw Harry!
I think there were other royals there as well, although they weren’t photographed. So the whole family came out for Harry except his brother and sister in law. Very strange. Especially when you think that this is something very close to Harry’s heart.
…..but is it close to WK’s hearts? 😉
LAK: I should hope it wouldn’t matter. If it’s close to Harry’s heart and I was his brother/sister etc., it would be good enough for me.
….but, WK are always telling us their charities are ‘close to their hearts’, so if Harry’s charity isn’t ‘close to their hearts’, how can they possibly be expected to attend??!!!
so very adorable. this guy, even though he screws up at times, you can’t help but like him (or I can’t anyway) his heart seems to be in the right place.
I love that his family came to support him, and I especially love the photos of him and the Queen.
On a pre-baby vacation, most likely!
ha, probably.
(I deleted that part cause I didn’t want anyone to get butthurt that I asked about them. It is odd they’re not there though. She couldn’t take a minute from knicker flashing to smell a garden?)
The Queen and various family members always make an appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show. She is the Royal Patron and has attended almost every year since the beginning of her reign. It is also not the first time that a family member has had an exhibit chosen for display. Prince Charles’ Highgrove Gardens did one a number of years ago, as well.
If you take a close look at the Her Majesty’s label you will see the brooch that was given last year to the Queen by the Royal Horticultural Society that puts on the CFS each year.
It’s wonderful that everyone was enjoying each others company and the lovely display but Harry’s designer should have rethought that one bit between the walkway and the center circular patio. It looks for all the world like something is unfinished or having to walk a plank.
Oh I think it’s there just for the event. I dont think you’re supposed to walk to the center platform at all.
I’m just wild about Harry!
It’s lovely how he remembers Diana. She raised her boys well.
Sorry byt Charles raised his sons well.
Agree, Jane. Charles deserves more credit than he is given.
How about they both raised them well?
bluhare…
I think I love you! Why must people always force a choice between Charles v. Diana where their children are concerned? Deceased or alive, they are both very much a part of their boys lives.
Also, I’m sure Camilla hasn’t been considered the “evil stepmom” for quite some time.
Harry was raised well by whoever raised him (mother, father, grandparents, nannies.)
But William? Bleh.
Let’s not forget the Boarding house masters/mistresses since they were both sent to school at 7/8yrs.
Arghh my heart just exploded! Love them! Look at Queenie with her handbag and her nan-hair and her nan-face! Eep!
They all look so happy, and Harry looks delighted and proud! 😀
This is an interesting occasion. It shows many things. Clearly he’s an adored member of the family. It also shows that there is real affection there. I’ve never seen Charles go almost cheek to cheek with Philip in greeting.
I love that Harry can honor and cherish his mother and her memory through his life and still clearly more than get along with Camilla. She’s probably not a bad old duck and she makes his father happy.
I wish Harry stories didn’t include a dig at William where Diana’s concerned. Just because he doesn’t do so publicly doesn’t mean he loved or misses her any less. He’s always been quieter in that regard.
Granted, I’m American so I don’t see as many photos of the Royals as the British do, but I was pretty touched at Charles and Phillip’s “cheek to cheek”, too, because I’ve never seen it before. Everyone seems more relaxed and open these days.
Yeah, I found that comment to be really unfair. William and Diana were INCREDIBLY close. Diana depended on William especially during her divorce, and he took her death very hard. Saying that about a man who lost his mother in a tragic way as a child is…wow.
Agreed about William. There’s been much written about how incredibly close he was with his mother and just how much she depended on him. No doubt he still struggles with a lot of what he saw and was privy to. Harry, as the younger sibling, is probably more inclined to just have happy memories of his mother, whilst I’m willing to bet William has a lot of mixed memories and emotions. Just because he isn’t as open as Harry about it doesn’t mean he didn’t cherish his mother and doesn’t miss her every single day.
Pixie
Yes. On top of how a spare is raised differently from an heir, William did see more of the damaged side of his mother. That’s horribly traumatic on a child and then to lose his mother so young is heartbreaking. However, William hasn’t honored her memory in any way that comes to mind. He does play the “Diana’s Son” card for any reason. Does he go out and continue any of her charities without Harry? Actually, is William even on any of Diana’s original charities that Harry isn’t?
Harry and William are different. William is probably an introvert with his feelings about his mother and Harry is just the opposite. That aside, when Harry goes out and continues the work his mother did while never using her name or memory to dig himself out of a hole he got himself into. William is just the opposite. And that’s such a shame he turned out like that.
WILLIAM has been quiter ? Are u kidding me? William has used Diana’s life, death, mistakes as an excuse for not working or for his wife not working or for always getting his way or for getting sympathy. He exploits her memory for selfish, personal gain like oh my wife can’t work because I don’t want her to suffer like Diana, oh don’t take our photos on public road don’t you know what happened to my mother,I will do nothing don’t u remember what happened to my mother etc. he tries to portray her as a helpless, miserable victim that had no control over her life and so weak which she was not. I am sorry but he insults and exploit his mother’s memory and has been living off sympathy and pity.
While Harry remembers her through her strength, work and all the good she did.
Neither one of then is quite about their mother, it’s just that 1 remembers her for all the good she did and other uses dead mommy to gain sympathy, make excuses and exploits her memory.
It’s interesting isn’t it, Angelic? I agree with a poster upthread that William is probably more damaged by it, and has more negative emotion attached to memories of his mother than Harry, and Harry doesn’t have that and it it shows.
And he invokes her memory at times like this, which is lovely. William invokes it when he and his wife are caught out at something.
Actually, I don’t think anyone is saying that William didn’t love his mother. Of course he did. We’ve all lost loved ones, but never had to cope with the whole world sharing our grief and watching our every move. There’s no way Diana’s loss would not profoundly effect both her sons. William just seems to use his mother in a different way than Harry does.
Like most siblings, these two brothers have very different personalities. Harry’s is more pleasant than Williams’.
And if what I’ve read is correct, William and Diana had a fight and William wasn’t talking to his mother when she died. Yes, they’d have made up, but imagine the guilt about that and the magnification of it based on what happened to his mother is a huge factor in his life.
bluhare
William was young when Diana died. At that age we all get mad at our parents. After a parent dies you can find a million things to be guilty over even if you weren’t fighting.
I’m sure he got the best care to ensure his mental and emotional health after she died, but in the end it’s up to him. The time for being a brat has to pass and the time for him to be mature and accept his responsibilities is long over due.
I have little sympathy for him on this matter. I’m slightly younger than him and slightly older than Harry. I lost my dad a few months after Diana. There comes a point where the pity party has to end. No matter how strained the relationship was or how much he was in the public eye (even though he was very protected) he’s showing a lack of emotional maturity.
I agree with you FLORC. William’s had a lot of time to put his demons to rest. (Still feel some sympathy, though!)
I’m sorry you lost your dad so young. I just lost mine last year and I’m a lot older than you are. And I still miss him terribly. We go to England to inter him next week. Not looking forward to that, but hopefully the rest of the trip will be fun.
bluhare
I started reading this site just before your father past and felt for you. It plain sucks. The only thing I kind of agree with Goop on was how she said the grief doesn’t lessen with time. It just hits you less often.
I feel for William that he lost his mother and all the future held for them, but he’s had many years and being sad won’t bring her back or honor her memory. I just can’t bring about sympathy when he acts like he does.
Aww, the Ginger Scamp strikes again! He really is such a natural at his job.
I call him the Ginger Scamp as well! Did we get that from another blog? Also, he desperately needs a Ginger Scamp superhero costume. Something with an old blanket for a cape.
You may have got it from Laineygossip.com – she calls him the Ginger Scamp (as well as Hot Harry on a Horse). I love him!
Although I do not agree with the idea of a monarchy in the 21st century, I do adore Prince Harry – for his honesty, compassion for others and his sensitivity, especially in regards to his mother, whom he clearly loves and misses. There is something authentic about Harry that is not there in William. William seems annoyed, fake and cold whenever he’s out in public. Even towards his wife, who is equally cold and fake. I agree too that William seems to use his mother as a prop whenever the situation calls for it and does not seem to hold her in the same light that Harry does, although I know William loves his mother.
Whomever ends up with Harry will be lucky, despite the obvious drawbacks of joining the royal family. I also think that the lady Harry marries will be someone who will outshine Kate Middleton, share his passion for helping others and his obvious love for his family. Kate is nice to look at (she cleans up well) but there is nothing behind her dead eyes and forced smiles. She is nothing more than her husband’s puppet — Harry’s wife will be the one of substance and possibly reflect the more lovable aspects of his mother.
I totally agree. In fact, I’ll be very annoyed at Harry if he marries a typical upper class twit.
Laura
That’s not totally true. William is often out in public with a genuine smile on and so is Kate. Kate seems genuinely happy when she’s shopping or on vacation or gazing adoringly at William. And William is often showing a genuine smile when he’s hugging a blonde, female friend or hanging out with his guy friends.
So true! I stand corrected. I forgot how much happiness is derived from cute blondes (William) and shopping (Kate).
LOL…
The Queen is going to live forever.
Amen
I don’t think he has any problem with Camilla now. She makes his dad happy, and he’s not a little kid preoccupied by his father’s marriage — it’s not as if he lives with them. I’m sure she must go out of her way to be nice to both boys. And his mother will always be the most loved by the public, so she’ll never be replaced and he doesn’t have to worry about that. He really seems over any drama. He’s too cool for that.
It seems that he works with his charities closely, I’ve read somewhere he was involved personally with the garden set up.He manages to bring attantion to his work in a lot les contrived way than Kate though.
How he rememberes Diana is another matter althogether. Kitty Kelly wrote it (I think) that the constant drama caused BOTH brothers to be incontinent in their teenage years, William to press a head of a schoolmate in the toilet while fighting ets., ets.
Harry is naturally afectionate with people IMO and not because he “follows” Diana steps.
And he has shown affection for Camilla even before the marriage…gasp!
Incontinent in their teen years? Like loss of bowel or bladder control?
Harry seems like a really sweet guy. Look at the picture of him stepping on the plank to make sure the Queen gets across ok!
This whole thing is too cute.
I love this man. He has such warmth and sincerity. Ah, if only he weren’t the spare…
That’s it. I am starting a movement called Skip to the Spare. Sigh.
He is lovely.
Harry’s a natural. I think this is the first time I’ve seen the BRF look so warm and affectionate in public. A BRF PDA – who’d have guessed? And nobody playing Look At Me.
It’s awesome! Everyone is there to support Harry and he seems tickled pink to have them there! All outfits are modest and appropriate. It’s truly nice to see and strikes me as so genuine.
This was sweet. Lovely look at the Windsors. They all love Harry & he them. He was so proud of his garden. Great memorial to Diana.
Charles carrying an umbrella- YES!! If royalty can do that.. why do C list stars in Hollywood need 3 umbrella holders?
What a wonderful charity, love Harry!
IMO both Harry and William are sort of fond of Camilla because she makes their father happy and also because they realise both of their parents were flawed and it was a hopeless situation to begin with. I say more power to them for rising above the drama and creating a loving environment. I think Camilla was/is selfish but not the evil, ville woman media tried to portray her as.
I love the fact Harry greets and get s greeted by kisses in return. I don’t get why grown men are not treated with loving kisses from their family members. They all seem to enjoy his and each others company.
Why William wasn’t there? He have no problem using Diana’s memory for personal gains but he can’t support his
brother as we know he wasn’t workingin Wales. Anyway I was actually glad he didn’t show up,I don’t see rf enjoying themselves like this around him and I generally don’t like him at all.
All in all, this is just a lovely group of pictures. Gave me a nice warm and fuzzy feeling to start the day.
My favourite photos were the ones of Harry with Phillip. He’s so attentive and personable. A very charming man, I’m sure he would make a better King than William.
I have a real soft spot for Prince Philip, and I think he and Harry are very much alike in many ways. Both totally adorable. Philip has always been a very proud grandpa, and I love that about him.
The queen looks like prince Charles in drag.
Stop trying to stir the pot.
Maybe Charles looks like a tranny Queen.
(stirring pot to annoy FLORC)
3 more slaps with the wet wiglet!!!
That poor wiglet’s been getting a lot of action lately. Speaking of which, did you see that she can go to BP’s garden party today, but not her brother in law’s flower garden opening yesterday? Must have been because William was home; apparently he’s back on Anglesey today.
PLUS, there’s another article about her saying she’s nothing but a WAG (a la Hilary Mantel). I totally agree with that.
Mantel nailed it again. She only has to speak 1 or 2 sentences to get her point across. I’m science smart. Not literary smart. I want her brand of smart!
Also, the mail put up a horrible pic of her. If you can’t attack the message attack the messenger I guess.
The last bit was good. No opinion, no identity, no source of income. If her parents died or were struck poor and William divorced her and she got the standard divorce payout, how would she survive? This is not a role model for the female youth.
Awww *sigh* I got nothing really just a nice warm and fuzzy feelings.
Dad and Granny are there I can’t be dirty. Good behavior today.
Harry looks so proud. He should be, too.
I love Harry, too! I do kind of feel bad for William because instead of people seeing him for what he is and the type of personality he has (maye a little bit dull), he’s gets compared to Harry, who always gets rave revues.
Long live the Queen! Love her – I think she’s pretty cute…in her pastel outfit, her nylons and clunky shoes…the hat and old lady purses…she’s always put together. I’d love to spend an afternoon having tea and crumpets with her!
I’m going to spend an evening watching Helen Mirren have tea and crumpets with all the Queen’s prime ministers soon!! Looking forward to that.
And Helen did a wonderful thing. A 10 year old boy with terminal cancer wanted to meet the Queen before he died and the Queen said no. So Helen stepped up and met the boy all dressed up as the Queen, had some corgis, they had tea and she even knighted him. That almost thawed this old cold heart.
Love Helen Mirren. And I’m so envious of your visit to London and seeing some excellent theater.
Signed,
Living vicariously through Bluhare
WTF?! A little boy who was dying asked to meet the Queen and she said “no”?! I thought it was her duty and “job” to serve “her people”? Wouldn’t comforting this little boy during his last days via a brief visit be part of her servitude? Or is her servitude limited to cutting ribbons, having her portrait painted, and ensuring that her outfits are color coordinated?
I find this appalling. I also think that it confirms that the majority of the royal family are indifferent (at best) and cold ( at worst — such as this situation) toward “commoners” (except Kate — although they aren’t overly friendly with that fembot either).
In my opinion, the Queen should be GLAD to meet with those who chose to have their last wish to meet with her, especially when they are children — it would go a long way to thawing some of the republican attitudes toward her and her emotionally disabled (except Harry) spawn.
Laura, all things being equal, I might agree with you. But remember, the Queen is head of state and cannot spend her time fulfilling dying wishes. Add to that, she really is emotionally distant and might not even know how to deal with a dying 10 year old. Look up the story about how the Queen after her coronation (early 50’s) went on a 6 month coronation cruise of the Commonwealth. She did not take Charles and Anne with her. When she got back, her son, who had not seen his mother in 6 months, ran up to her for a hug and she shunted him aside. Not now dear, I’m busy. Sometimes it’s easy to understand why Charles turned out as he did. More recently, the week between Diana’s death and funeral, the Queen had to be forced to make some concessions towards the public outcry. Just some food for thought.