Queen Camilla’s rescue dogs Beth and Bluebell to make their Chelsea Flower Show debut in willow sculpture form
Queen Camilla’s beloved rescue dogs Beth and Bluebell are set to make their Chelsea Flower Show this year in the form of willow sculptures.

The Queen, 76, adopted Beth from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, in South London, in 2011 and fellow Jack Russell terrier Bluebell joined the family the following year.

The willow creations were designed by weaver Emma Stothard, who previously created one of King Charles’ beloved dog Tigga following her death in 2002.

The sculptures will be on display in the pop-up Highgrove shop at Chelsea Flower Show, which opens on 21st May.

Visitors will be able to peruse Highgrove products, including honey collected from bees on the estate and apple juice made from orchard produce.

Pictured: Queen Camilla picking up her nine-week-old Jack Russell terrier rescue Bluebell and Beth in December 2012
Queen Camilla’s dogs Beth and Bluebell willow sculptures are to make an appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show this year
The Highgrove shop at Chelsea will be decorated by royal florist Shane Connolly, who adorned Westminster Abbey with flowers for the King’s coronation and created displays for Charles and Camilla’s wedding.

Connolly will use floral varieties found growing at Highgrove and the flowers will return to the gardens in Gloucestershire afterwards to be planted.

Limited-edition lithographs reproduced from original watercolours painted by the King, including Ackergil Tower, Castle of Mey, and the West Side of Highgrove House, will also be on show.

The King’s charity The King’s Foundation is the custodian of the Highgrove gardens and offers workshops, programmes and short courses focused on heritage and craft skills at its Barley Court education centre on the estate.

The installation at Chelsea will act as a showcase for the charity’s work preserving traditional craft skills such as woodworking, embroidery and willow weaving, with students giving live demonstrations on site on May 20.

Scott Simpson, retail director at The King’s Foundation, said: ‘We are so excited to be bringing a sprinkle of Highgrove magic to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year.

‘Nature provides inspiration for so much of the work that we do at The King’s Foundation, from our heritage craft skills education programmes to our unique range of Highgrove products.’

The sale of Highgrove Garden Tours, products and events supports the work of The King’s Foundation.

Artwork issued by The King’s Foundation of willow sculptures studies of Queen Camilla’s dogs Beth and Bluebell which are to make an appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show
Pictured: Emma Stothard’s sketches of Queen Camilla’s dogs Beth and Bluebell, which have been made into willow sculptures
Pictured: The Highgrove shop. A pop-up of the shop is set to appear at Chelsea Flower Show next month
In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live in 2020, Camilla – who has owned several generations of Jack Russell puppies – opened up about her love for her beloved dogs.

She told host Emma Barnett: ‘The nice thing about dogs is you can sit them down, you could have a nice long conversation, you could be cross, you could be sad and they just sit looking at you wagging their tail.’

When Camilla first adopted Bluebell, a spokesperson for the royal said the dog had had a ‘really awful’ start in life.

They said: ‘She was just four weeks old when she was found by a member of the public in quite a bad way. She had lost a lot of hair and her skin was pink and sore. The Duchess was delighted to take her on.’

A source close to Camilla added: ‘Beth is a delightful dog and has been wonderful with the Duchess’s five young grand-children – Bluebell is a very welcome addition to the family.’

Camilla was treated like any other potential owners, however, and had to pay a £105 rehoming fee which covers the charity’s costs as well as microchipping, initital vaccinations, flea and worming treatments and a new collar, identification tag and lead.

Battersea does not receive any government funding and is totally reliant on publication bequests and donations.

Claire Horton, chief executive of the home, said: ‘Once again the Duchess of Cornwall ahs given a second chance in life to a Battersea dog in need. Bluebell arrived at Battersea having had such an awful start in life, so we couldn’t be happier that she caught the eye of the Duchess and now has such a wonderful home.

‘Bluebell will be an excellent companion for Beth and we’re confident she will bring a lot of pleasure to her new family.’