BLOOMIN' WONDERFUL
Smiling Queen makes first official engagement using buggy at Chelsea Flower Show with just over a week until Jubilee
THE Queen beamed with pride as she made her first official engagement in her new buggy at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Dubbed the 'Queen Mobile' the electric cart was delivered to Her Majesty, 96, two months ago to allow her to take her corgis for a walk around Windsor Castle.
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The six-seater buggy is kitted out with all of the mod-cons and this is the first time it has been seen in public since its existence was revealed by The Sun on Sunday.
The monarch was given a tour with her stern-faced carp-wearing chauffeur and received a running commentary about the show gardens and displays by the President of the Royal Horticultural Society - Keith Weed.
Her Majesty wearing bright fuchsia pink, who uses the buggy due to her mobility issues, was shown around ten gardens including a memorial garden to The Sun’s legendary gardening editor Peter Seabrook.
The Queen Mobile, made by Danish firm Garia in a tie-up with MercedesBenz, is estimated to cost around £62,000 and comes with all-weather covers, fridge and infotainment screen.
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The electric cart is said to have a 43mph top speed although it crawled around the Chelsea site at a more sedate pace yesterday.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "Adjustments have been made for the Queen's comfort."
The Queen's buggy was built by Danish firm Garia as part of a tie-up with Mercedes-Benz.
As well as a top speed of 43mph top speed, it has a range of 50 miles before its lithium battery needs recharging.
Her Majesty, plus dogs, can recline in comfort on its four brown-leather seats, and chill treats in its fridge.
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A 10.1in tablet-style screen next to the steering wheel also offers climate updates and mapping.
Meanwhile, “weather enclosure” doors and windows mean it can be used all-year round.
The buggy also features headlights, 14in alloy wheels, a lockable boot, heated windscreen — plus cup holders, drive mode selection and Bluetooth speakers.
It was unclear whether the monarch would make the Chelsea Flower Show today, but Buckingham Palace confirmed she was attending at the eleventh hour.
Joe Little, of Majesty magazine, said of today's development: "It's an extremely practical arrangement that will allow the Queen to take part in as many engagements as she is able to do."
She has attended the world-famous event more than 50 times in her 70-year reign as patron of the Royal Horticultural Society.
The Queen has been celebrated at the show with a floral portrait in the official Platinum Jubilee shade of purple.
The artwork also features branches from British trees joined together with shelves holding 70 terracotta pots.
They include one of the Queen's favourites plants lily of the valley, which was also included in her coronation bouquet.
There will also be a monument that features a photography exhibition of the Queen’s visits to the show throughout her reign.
Other members of the Royal Family - the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Princess Beatrice, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra - are also touring the show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.
Princess Beatrice was a vision in white and blue as she arrived with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, matched with the Queen in a suit similar to the shade of pink worn by Her Majesty.
The Queen was last seen in a golf buggy nine years ago in 2013 during the Coronation Festival in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
She also used one during a tour to Australia in 2011, when she visited Government House in Canberra.
Her Majesty has made a number of appearances in recent weeks ahead of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 2.
Last week, she used a walking stick as she joined youngest son Edward for the opening of the new Elizabeth line at Paddington Station.
Her visit, which was kept a surprise, delighted royal fans as she topped up her Oyster card.
It came just two days after she got her Jubilee celebrations off to a flying start as she rubbed shoulders with Hollywood royalty in Windsor.
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She was hailed by Top Gun star Tom Cruise, 59, who said: “What she has accomplished has been historic.”
Dame Helen Mirren, who played Her Majesty in 2006 film The Queen, Billions actor Damian Lewis, Bridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh and TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh were also at the star-studded event.
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