20 of the best Chelsea Flower Show fashion moments

As the garden show begins, we look back at some of the best dressed attendees in history

Since 1913, royals, celebrities, and the general public have flocked annually to the Chelsea Flower Show to enjoy its horticultural wonders. The prestigious event, formerly known as the Great Spring Show, has always been held in the Royal Hospital Chelsea's gardens.

During that time, organisers have never implemented an official dress code, but attendees have closely followed an unspoken one. Botanical prints and pastel colours match the fresh spring mood - and attendees’ dedication to the horticultural cause has ranged from muted florals to vivid vegetable prints. From royal hairnets embellished with flowers and bows to classic co-ords and pastel cardigans, the Chelsea Flower Show has brought us countless memorable fashion moments.

Scroll down to revisit some of the best floral fashion moments of all time…

The late Queen Elizabeth became a Patron of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1952 following her father's death. For the occasion, she dressed in a light coat-dress, with box pleat skirt. She had regularly visited the Chelsea Flower Show as a young princess but first attended as Queen in 1955. During her 70 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth attended the Chelsea Flower Show over 50 times.

The late Queen Elizabeth had a penchant for pastels and was often seen wearing lilac. Her calf-length pearl buttoned coat revealed a fraction of a pastel floral fabric dress underneath, tying in beautifully with the garden's surroundings.

In pride of place, the Queen wore the Jardine Star Brooch, which was left to the Queen in 1981 by Lady Jardine.

The Queen accessorised with a decorative hair net on more than one occasion at the Chelsea Flower Show. Her Majesty first wore a one – embellished with black bows – to the show in 1973. She chose similar garments in 1993, 1987, 1981, 1977 and 2011, the latter of which was reportedly designed by her personal dresser Angela Kelly.

At the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show, Catherine, Princess of Wales, created a woodland-inspired garden for visiting families to explore.

To present her work to the Queen, she wore this suitably floral high-neck dress by Erdem, one of the Princess's best-loved designers. The same cotton silk gown was also worn by Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, now 90, when she attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding the year before.

Formal hats have long been a contested accessory at the Chelsea Flower Show - are they necessary, most ask? But this two-tiered hat the Queen Mother wore in 1950 looks spectacular enough to make an exception. It is likely that the fittingly floral hat was the work of Frederick Fox, the Queen's milliner. The attention here is on the accessories: gloves, strings of pearls, a fur stole, and the oversized but elegant flower brooch.

In 2017, Jo Whiley opted for this formal calf-length black dress with a plunging neckline, which she paired with black peep toe heels embellished with small gold flowers.

The colourful embroidered birds pop against the dark fabric, and offer a fun alternative to florals for the event.

While we have seen plenty of floral prints over the years, food writer Jasmine Hemsley aptly decided on a vegetable variation in a sun dress by Dolce and Gabbana in 2018. Her wicker picnic basket bag was the perfect summer accessory.

Hemsley's look was a quirky yet tasteful take on the dress code.

Does this count as a controversial ‘view-blocking’ hat? Perhaps. But it was the finishing touch to Dame Joan Collins's elegant flower show look in 2019. Her dainty white gloves and baby pink blazer were also matched to her silk black calla lily print dress.

Opting for an outfit by British brand Really Wild Clothing, Mary Berry played with different shades of pink at the 2017 Chelsea Flower Show, completing the look with some hot pink slingbacks.

Like many other attendees, the queen of baking and national treasure chose a classic floral day dress, pairing it with a stylish pale pink textured coat and her signature string of pearls.

The Duchess of Edinburgh, while not wearing florals, chose a lovely summer dress by Victoria Beckham for the show in 2018.

The ruffled hem and batwing sleeves create a graceful, flowing silhouette ideal for a warm spring day.

Queen Camilla also chose pastels at the 2007 Chelsea Flower Show in an elegant baby blue ensemble.

Camilla kept it minimal jewellery and bag-wise, choosing pearls and a dainty silver clutch. The pastel and pearlescent aesthetic matched the wildflower surrounding.

Alexa Chung's monochromatic look in 2017 worked brilliantly against her vibrant floral backdrop.

Combining casual with occasionwear, the fashion model and designer looked chic and practical – considering the notoriously unpredictable time of year weather-wise.

Princess Beatrice looked elegant in this ankle-length summer dress from Reformation. The blue toile print on the dress resembles delicately painted porcelain.

Princess Beatrice tied together the summery look with slightly chunky black heels and a Zara black box basket bag.

This navy number worn by Baroness Benjamin in 2016 is stylish and simple. The floral details are subtle yet central to the look - the former children's television presenter opted for a feathered floral fascinator, and a flower brooch on her waist too.

Princess Diana made a bold but fun hosiery choice in 1984.

Her look balanced elegance, fun and creativity – all celebrated aspects of the occasion.

From the polka dot blouse just peeking out to the playful pink bow shoes, Princess Diana's 1984 look offered a unique take on the Chelsea Flower Show look.

Perfectly coordinating with her floral backdrop, Dame Judi Dench wore a long-line dress coat to the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019. The minimalist beige trouser and top combination underneath let the incredibly detailed dress coat be the focal point.

Intricately embroidered with colourful patterns, flowers, and birds, the design is filled with garden references.

Joanna Lumley embraced pattern clashing with her 2013 flower show look. From a cerise cardigan and jean combo to an ombré orange trilby hat, the actress's colour palette rivalled the floral displays around her.

Lumley's look is proof, surely, that you don't need to always wear a floral dress to make an impact.

Eunice Gayson, an original Bond girl, picked polka dots for her 1954 Chelsea Flower Show look. The cap sleeve calf-length swing dress is typical of 1950s fashion. Gayson completed the look with a pair of strappy summer shoes – stylish but practical enough to view the Chelsea gardens in - and held a bouquet as she viewed the show.

Princess Margaret went to the Chelsea Flower Show many times during her life, trialling trends including pastels and spring greens. In 1965, she went with her mother-in-law, Anne Parsons, Countess of Rosse, and both dressed up for the occasion in floral topped hats.