Charles King's Contemporary Monarchical Signature Maintains a Legacy Reaching as Far Back as Queen Charlotte
Royal Horticultural Society Unveils New Botanical Painting for King Charles
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has recently unveiled a new botanical painting, known as a Royal Signature, in honour of King Charles III. This tradition of delicate, decorative artworks featuring flowers and plants symbolically linked to the royal patron who signs them dates back over 200 years.
The first patron to sign a commissioned botanical painting was Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, in 1816. Since then, more than 40 such Royal Signatures have been created, each incorporating plants relevant to the patron's family, country, or horticultural interests.
Most recently, in July 2025, King Charles continued this tradition by receiving a new Royal Signature at Sandringham Estate before departing for Scotland. The artwork was created by botanical artist Gillian Barlow, chair of the RHS Picture Panel, with calligraphy by Timothy Noad MBE. The painting features plants growing in the newly designed gardens on Sandringham’s grounds, such as magnolia, acers, geraniums, gladioli, and crocuses.
King Charles signed this painting, formally becoming the RHS’s 15th patron in 2024 and following in Queen Charlotte's footsteps. This tradition symbolizes the RHS's close links with its royal patrons, who have supported horticulture and botanical arts for centuries. The artworks celebrate both the Society's heritage and the personal botanical interests of the signing monarchs.
Copies of the King's Royal Signature will be displayed within RHS libraries in London, Surrey, and North Yorkshire starting on July 30. A signed copy of the new Royal Signature painting will also be on display in the Sandringham House Ballroom through October 10.
The first ever RHS Flower Show at the Sandringham Estate is scheduled for 2026. This event is sure to be a celebration of the royal patronage of horticulture in the UK and the continuing prestige of the Royal Horticultural Society’s royal patrons.
Key points:
- The Royal Signature tradition began in 1816 with Queen Charlotte, first RHS patron.
- The artworks feature symbolic plants and flowers related to patrons' interests.
- Over 40 Royal Signature paintings have been created to date.
- King Charles signed the new Royal Signature in July 2025, becoming the 15th RHS patron.
- The artwork was created by botanical artist Gillian Barlow and calligrapher Timothy Noad MBE.
- The new Royal Signature painting brings a flavour of Sandringham’s gardens to RHS members and visitors.
- Copies of the King's Royal Signature will be displayed in RHS libraries and Sandringham House.
- The first ever RHS Flower Show at the Sandringham Estate is scheduled for 2026.
[1] Royal Horticultural Society. (n.d.). Royal Signatures. Retrieved from https://www.rhs.org.uk/our-work/royal-patronage/royal-signatures [4] Royal Horticultural Society. (2025). New Royal Signature for King Charles III unveiled. Retrieved from https://www.rhs.org.uk/news-and-blogs/news/new-royal-signature-for-king-charles-iii-unveiled [5] Royal Horticultural Society. (2024). King Charles III becomes the RHS's 15th patron. Retrieved from https://www.rhs.org.uk/news-and-blogs/news/king-charles-iii-becomes-the-rhs-s-15th-patron
- The tradition of Royal Signatures, a form of botanical painting showcasing symbols for royals' interests, began with Queen Charlotte in 1816.
- Botanical artist Gillian Barlow and calligrapher Timothy Noad MBE created the most recent Royal Signature for King Charles, presented in July 2025.
- The art display features plants and flowers like magnolias, acers, geraniums, gladioli, and crocuses from Sandringham’s newly designed gardens.
- King Charles became the Society's 15th royal patron by signing the Royal Signature in 2024, continuing a lineage dating back over two centuries.
- Starting from July 30, copies of this Royal Signature will be displayed within RHS libraries and one signed copy will also be exhibited in the Sandringham House Ballroom until October 10.
