Kate Middleton, Prince William To Attend Chelsea Flower Show For First Time To View Princess Charlotte Chrysanthemum

Kate Middleton and Prince William will make their debut at the Chelsea Flower Show on May 23. The royal couple will join the likes of regular flower show visitors like Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry at the horticultural event. Kate, 34, and William, 33, will view the flower that has been named after their 1-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte.

For William and Kate, the highlight of the Chelsea Flower Show is the pink chrysanthemum with green tips — named after their daughter — that is being entered for Flower of the Year. They will also view various other exhibits at the flower show. The Princess Charlotte chrysanthemum has been produced by Dutch company Deliflor, the world’s largest chrysanthemum breeder.

The flower went on sale at Waitrose branches for 8 pounds ($11.49) from May 2, the first birthday of the little princess. Fifty pence will be donated to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, a charity that Kate is patron of, for every plant that is sold. William and Kate have, until now, never visited the Chelsea Flower Show in their royal capacities. The Queen is patron of the event, which will be held from May 24-28.

Speaking of how the flower got its name, Johan Heemskerk said the royal floral tribute happened after Charlotte was christened. Deliflor holds an annual social media competition to name a new variety. “It was the day after the baby princess was named and as the flower was baby pink, I felt 'Charlotte' would be a good name," Heemskerk told the Telegraph. "The British royal family and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, in particular, are immensely popular in The Netherlands.” The Princess Charlotte Chrysanthemum is the latest addition to a host of flowers named after members of the royal family.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry, who is a regular at the flower show previously visited to show his support for his charity Sentebale. The fifth-in-line to the British throne visited the show in 2015 to view a garden designed by Matt Keightley, who created an African-themed space for Harry’s charity. The garden had plants that are both native to the U.K. and Lesotho as the 31-year-old requested.

Other members of the royal family are also expected to attend the Chelsea Flower Show. This year, Prince Andrew and his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, as well as Princess Anne will attend. Besides, Prince Edward’s wife Sophie, the countess of Wessex, is also expected to attend the show.