Sandringham Flower Show returns before 'pause'

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are attending this year's Sandringham Flower Show before it takes a two-year break

A local flower show held for the past 142 years on the King's Norfolk retreat is getting under way before making way for a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) event.

The annual Sandringham Flower Show will pause for the RHS touring flower show in 2026 and 2029.

The Sandringham Flower Show, organised by some 15 to 20 local volunteers sees about 20,000 people visit annually.

A spokeswoman for the locally organised show said members were "fully supportive" of the new RHS event.

Woodgate Nursery of Aylsham created a garden for the 2024 show, complete with recycled metal water feature

"We're doing what we can to help them and they're doing what they can to help us," she said.

Last year was the first time in 30 years no member of the Royal Family had attended the show.

The Sandringham Flower Show was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who attended each year after World War Two.

The show traditionally sees local colleges, agricultural businesses and experts taking part, while in the amateurs' marquee, local gardening and horticultural clubs enter a judged display competition.

A month before the show, Royal estate employees, pensioners and tenants have the opportunity to enter their gardens in two judged competitions.

Sandringham Flower Show's profits are donated annually to local charities, and it said it had given more than £825,000 since 1977.

The show was a favourite of the Queen Mother, pictured in 1989

A year ago, Graham Brown, chair of the show, said: "The future of the show is going to carry on.

"I will see the show through the RHS and we will work with them to make sure our show is incorporated with their show.

"Sandringham is changing and we all have to move with that."

Some 20,000 visitors attended the 141st festival on the Royal Sandringham Estate

The King became patron of the RHS in 2024 and its 2026 event will be a six-day exhibition.

On its website, RHS director general Clare Matterson said the decision to run the new touring events was to ensure it reached more people "in new locations".

RHS director of shows, commercial and innovation, Helena Pettit, said the changes were the biggest it had made in a generation.

"We want to inspire current and new audiences with world class horticulture and provide access to the UK's best plants people to help even more people garden and grow," she said.

Michaela Boggis from Jelly Cottage Nursery in Gresham was a Sandringham Flower Show winner in 2024