Coronavirus: UK holds first virtual Chelsea Flower Show amid pandemic

Annual gardening celebration popular with the royal family cancelled for the first time since the Second World War

The first virtual version of the UK’s Chelsea Flower Show kicked off this week, promising a new focus on learning as the coronavirus crisis continues to make large gatherings of people impossible in Britain.

Queen Elizabeth II, patron of the Royal Horticultural Society which has organised the event at London’s Royal Chelsea Hospital since 1912, was forced to skip her traditional visit to the show as she continues to isolate in Windsor Castle.

It is the first time the event has been cancelled since the Second World War.

The Queen, who has attended almost every year since her childhood, praised the organisers’ creative solution.

LONDON - MAY 23: Crowds gather to look at the show gardens at The Chelsea Flower Show on May 23, 2007 in London. Chelsea is the largest flower show in the world and runs from May 22 to 26, 2007. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Queen Elizabeth II is pictured next to a floral exhibit by the New Covent Garden Flower Market, which features an image of the Queen, at Chelsea Flower Show press day at Royal Hospital Chelsea on May 23, 2016 in London, England. The show, which has run annually since 1913 in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, is open to the public from 24-28 May. (Photo by Adrian Dennis - WP Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (L) is shown the IBTC Lowestoft: Broadland Boatbuilder's Garden as she visits the RHS Chelsea Flower Show press day at Royal Hospital Chelsea on May 22, 2017 in London, England. The prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, held annually since 1913 in the Royal Hospital Chelsea grounds, is open to the public from the 23rd to the 27th of May, 2017. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool / Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: The Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden is pictured on the first public day of the Chelsea Flower Show on May 19, 2015 in London, England. The show, which has run annually since 1913 in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, is open to the public from 19th to 23rd May and is expected to draw around 157,000 visitors. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Visitors walk past a giant tea-pot on display on the first public day of the Chelsea Flower Show on May 19, 2015 in London, England. The show, which has run annually since 1913 in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, is open to the public from 19 to 23 May and is expected to draw around 157,000 visitors. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 22: A performer in a panda costume performs in the Silk Road Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show on May 22, 2017 in London, England. The prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, held annually since 1913 in the Royal Hospital Chelsea grounds, is open to the public from the 23rd to the 27th of May, 2017. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: A woman stands outside a large floral display at a clothing shop during the Chelsea in Bloom floral art show on May 21, 2018 in London, England. This year is the 13th Chelsea in Bloom and the theme is 'Summer of Love', inspired by the Royal Wedding and the 1960's/70's cultural revolution. The floral show is also a competition that is entered by various Chelsea retailers, restaurants and hotels with entries being judged by an expert panel. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: A Chelsea Pensioner is seen at the Chelsea Flower Show 2018 on May 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 20: A person walks past a floral window display in the window of the Kiki McDonough store near Sloane Square as businesses unveil this years creations in support of the Chelsea Flower Show on May 20, 2019 in London, England. Running from May 21-25, the annual Chelsea Flower Show was started in 1913 and is one of the largest events in the horticultural calendar. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Woman look at flowers in the main pavillion at Chelsea Flower Show on May 19, 2009 in London, England. The internationally renowned horticultural show runs from May 19-23, showcasing the latest gardening trends including several 'Credit Crunch' gardens. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Isabella Blake-Thomas, 6, from London walks through television presenter James May's Paradise in Plasticine garden at Chelsea flower show on May 19, 2009 in London, England. The internationally renowned horticultural show runs from May 19-23, showcasing the latest gardening trends including several 'Credit Crunch' gardens. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 17: Sir David Attenborough poses with a floral sculpture of himself outside the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew Gardens on May 17, 2012 in London, England. The sculpture was created by RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medallist winner Joe Massie. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images,)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 20: Visitors admire the plants on display in The Great Pavilion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on May 20, 2014 in London, England. The prestigious gardening show, which has been run by the RHS for over 100 years, features hundreds of stands and exhibition gardens and runs until May 24. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Prince Charles, Prince Of Wales, Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall and Queen Elizabeth II attend the annual Chelsea Flower show at Royal Hospital Chelsea on May 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson - WPA Pool / Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 20: Atmosphere at the Trailfinders Australian Garden presented by Fleming's at the Chelsea Flower Show at Royal Hospital Chelsea on May 20, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for the 2013 Chelsea Flower Show Trailfinders Australian Garden)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 20: Visitor Sue Brown looks at a stand at the Chelsea Flower Show on May 20, 2013 in London, England. The Chelsea Flower Show run by the RHS, (Royal Horticultural Society) celebrates its 100th birthday this year. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Prince Harry visits the Chelsea Flower Show at Royal Hospital Chelsea on May 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)

ST AUSTELL, ENGLAND - MAY 31: A rope access technician climbs in front of Eden's latest attraction 'The Sense of Memory Garden' at the Eden Project on May 31, 2012 near St Austell, Cornwall, England. The garden - featuring water pools lined with Bodmin Moor granite and filled with some of Cornwall’s most popular plants - was first seen at the 2011 Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show, but has been given a permanent home in front of the Eden Project's Mediterranean Biome. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Portrait of actress Britt Ekland, wearing a white mini dress and knee socks, holding a bouquet of Red Planet 'Rose of the Year', at the Chelsea Flower Show, London, May 18th 1970. (Photo by Leonard Burt/Central Press/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 20: Prince Andrew, Duke of York views a display during his visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 press day at Chelsea Flower Show on May 20, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON ? MAY 24: Chelsea pensioner Stan Kendrick examines the 'A Colourful Suburban Eden' garden, designed by Diarmuid Gavin, at the annual Chelsea Flower Show on May 24, 2004 in London, England. The show is due to open to the public on May 26 dates back to 1862. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip viewing the carpet bedding of the Royal Coat of Arms, during a tour of the Chelsea Flower Show, London, 19th May 1975. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

LONDON - MAY 22: A visitor to the Chelsea Flower wears a floral patterned jacket on May 22, 2006 in London. The yearly flower show will be visited by HM Queen Elizabeth II today and opens to the public tomorrow. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

LONDON - MAY 23: HRH Princess Royal walks through the Chelsea Pensioner garden at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show on May 23, 2005 in London. (Photo by Bruno Vincent/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 20: Princess Beatrice of York with her friend Alice Naylor-Leyland as they look at a display during their visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 press day at Chelsea Flower Show on May 20, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

“My family and I have always enjoyed visiting the show,” she said in a letter. “I know that your members and supporters will be disappointed that they are unable to attend in person this year."

The queen said she was “pleased” to hear that the show was taking on an educational role as it moves online during the pandemic, and shared images of her favourite plants chosen by members of the royal family.

Queen Elizabeth II has attended the Chelsea Flower Show since she was 10 years old. Courtesy RHS

“I am sure that my grandmother, Queen Mary, who first attended the Chelsea Flower Show in 1916, would be delighted that many people today have an enthusiasm for horticulture,” she added.

More than 150,000 people from around the world had been due to descend on a small corner of the British capital each year for the event, which showcases the work of some of the finest garden designers.

A handout image received from Buckingham Palace chosen by Britain's Prince Charles, shows delphinium plants. AFP PHOTO / Highgrove Enterprises

Organisers of this year’s online festival have put a new focus on sharing knowledge, and have prepared a programme of content for virtual visitors including tours of gardens by their designers, demonstrations and Q&A sessions with experts. All of the content was made available to the public on Tuesday.

The Chelsea Flower Show has become an almost permanent fixture on Britain’s calendar, drawing royalty, celebrities and the public to its annual display of colour.

From its beginnings as a three-day event held in a single marquee, to its present 11-acre size, the show has become perhaps the best-known celebration of gardening in the world.

The show went ahead in 1915 despite the outbreak of World War One, before being cancelled due to the conflict.

In 1932, the show went on despite rain so severe it caused a summer house to collapse.

The yearly spectacle was last cancelled in 1939, again due to the outbreak of war in Europe, but the show returned again in 1947 and taken place ever since.

The coronavirus lockdown has brought a renewed interest in gardening, with Britons confined to their homes cherishing their outdoor spaces.

Some 83 per cent of homes in England have some private outdoor space, according to 2016 government figures.