Meghan Markle threatening to ‘eclipse’ Kate Middleton at the Chelsea Flower Show with her African garden
A RIVALRY has broken out between Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton – in the garden department.
Until this weekend, the highlight of the Chelsea Flower show was set to be the quintessentially English garden co-designed by Kate, but Meghan’s African patch is threatening to steal the spotlight.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 37, has created a family-friendly classic garden, where children can toast marshmallows over an open fire and pick wild strawberries.
The Sunday Times revealed that a second garden with a royal patronage is to be unveiled this year, and it couldn’t be more different to Kate’s.
A charity supported by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will show an African climate change garden, with a breeze-block school house and crops girls are taught to grow, such as peanuts and okra.
The Camfed garden is just a stone’s throw away from Kate’s patch, and features solar panels and a smart irrigation system.
The Sunday Times said Kensington Palace “presumably aware of the risk of headlines about ‘sisters-in-law at war’ has intervened to stop Meghan and Harry’s glamour eclipsing Kate’s pride and joy.”
Camfed has been told it can’t use a photo of Prince Harry surrounded by its young Zimbabwean alumni to promote the garden.
A source at Camfed is said to have told the publication: “It’s because the Duchess of Cambridge is co-designing a garden, so . . . we can’t use the photo. The palace is worried about mixed messaging.”
In contrast, Kate is pictured front and centre on the Royal Horticultural Society website in promotion for her garden.
Kensington Palace is said to have confirmed the decision was taken by administrators, and that Prince Harry is extremely supportive of their work, which helps girls stay in education in rural Africa.
Camfed is one of the many charities supported by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who frequently champion African causes.
On International Women’s Day on March 8, Meghan attended a panel on stage with Camfed’s Africa director Angeline Murimirwa, and promoted the sponsorship of girls.
Meghan’s garden has been created in collaboration with London garden designer Jilayne Rickards and is expected to be showcased at the Eden Project in Cornwall following the show.
Kensington Palace has been contacted by the Sun Online for comment.
WHEN AND WHERE DOES THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW TAKE PLACE?
As the name suggests, the event is held in Chelsea, in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
The showground is transformed with a vast array of colourful flowers with plenty to see and do.
This year it will be taking place from Tuesday May 21 to Saturday May 25.
Tickets are available on the website.
The news follows the announcement that Meghan and Prince Harry will break away from Prince William and Kate Middleton to have a separate royal household and office.
The parents-to-be will instead base their official household office at Buckingham Palace, and will have a separate communications team to reflect this move.
Kensington Palace said: “The Queen has agreed to the creation of a new Household for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, following their marriage in May last year.
“The Household, which will be created with the support of The Queen and The Prince of Wales, will be established in the spring.
“This long-planned move will ensure that permanent support arrangements for The Duke and Duchess’s work are in place as they start their family and move to their official residence at Frogmore Cottage.”
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