Princess Eugenie casts thumbprint for RHS Chelsea Flower Show at Horatio’s Garden

Jessica Dean-Hill March 7, 2023

1 minute read

HRH Princess Eugenie casts thumbprint for Horatio’s Garden Chelsea. Photo Jude Wacks judewacks

Princess Eugenie of York, Patron of Horatio’s Garden since 2019, has cast her thumbprint to be featured in the charity’s show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May 2023.

The clay thumbprint will join thousands of others including Horatio’s Garden patients, staff and volunteers within its gardens in spinal injury centres – as well as those involved in bringing the show garden to life.

Her Royal Highness’ thumbprint will be displayed as a piece of artwork in a woodland room within the charity’s garden designed by Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg from Harris Bug Studio in collaboration with architects Mcmullan studio on the Main Avenue of Chelsea Flower Show.

Princess Eugenie said, “I am so pleased to be supporting the Horatio’s Garden show garden at Chelsea this year. As a former spinal patient myself I understand the impact that Horatio’s Garden has on people in hospital and the difference it makes to their lives.”

Dr Olivia Chapple, founder and chair of trustees of the charity, added, “We are thrilled that HRH Princess Eugenie has cast her thumbprint as we start to gather prints from the broad community of Horatio’s Garden for our Chelsea show garden in May.

“This is a wonderful initiative by designers Harris Bugg Studio in collaboration with architect Andrew Mcmullan that will tell the powerful story of the many hands involved in caring for beneficiaries of Horatio’s Garden.”

Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg, designers of Horatio’s Garden at Chelsea Flower Show, said, “We have been so fortunate in the last year to meet with many people supported by the Horatio’s Garden charity. We have listened to their stories and come to understand the vital role the charity plays within their lives.

“We were determined to visually represent the collective power of the whole Horatio’s Garden family – the many inspiring individuals that make up this transformative community of hope and support. And since this garden will be permanently located in Sheffield, the home of highly skilled metalworking, the idea of a personal way of hallmarking this space resonated yet further.”