Royal Visit to Chiswick House Gardens

His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent visited Chiswick House Gardens on Wednesday 18 July to mark the planting of a Black Poplar tree in celebration of Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

All the boroughs of Greater London received a Black Poplar tree and Chiswick House Gardens are honoured to be the chosen site for the London Borough of Hounslow. Mayor of Hounslow Cllr. Pritam Grewel said, 'It was a great pleasure to welcome His Royal Highness to Chiswick House Gardens, as we are very proud of all that has been achieved here through partnership work between the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust, English Heritage and the Council.'

The Black Poplar has been planted by the waters edge and will hopefully grow into an eventual 40ft specimen.  

Whilst at Chiswick the Duke of Kent chatted to volunteers of the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust who do so much to ensure the gardens are beautifully presented for the benefit of all our visitors.

The Duke's visit was made all the more memorable as it was his father Prince George who opened the gardens to the public in July 1929.

Director of Chiswick House and Gardens Trust, Sarah Finch-Crisp presented His Royal Highness with a facsimile copy of the Brentford and Chiswick Times illustrated report of that earlier occasion. She said, 'We were delighted to be included in his Royal Highness's visit to the borough and to share this important occasion with our partners at the London Borough of Hounslow. The Duke took time to talk with many of our wonderful volunteers and was clearly interested in the history of Chiswick House and Gardens and recent restoration.'

(from L to R) Sarah Finch-Crisp, Director of Chiswick House and Gardens Trust; His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent; The Mayor of Hounslow, Cllr Pritam Grewal; The Mayoress of Hounslow, Cllr Ajmer Grewal; Hounslow Deputy Lieutenant Paul Kennerley
Photo credits: Olivia Woodhouse

Dorothy Boland, first of the Trust's long standing 'Goosefoot' garden volunteers' to meet the Duke

Volunteer Colin Heath greeting His Royal Highness with fellow volunteers Kim Heath and Steve Meddemmen

Jan Shawe Deputy Chairman, Chiswick House and Gardens Trust greets the Duke of Kent.
(from L to R) Mary Harpley, Chief Executive London Borough of Hounslow; James Stitt Treasurer Chiswick House Friends

A copy of the Brentford and Chiswick Times 5 July 1929 recording Prince George's opening the gardens to the public in 1929. Courtesy of Simon Francis and Chiswick Reference Library

Read More

Why a Black Poplar?
This large native tree used to flourish across the whole of England but is now rare.

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations Take Root at Chiswick House Gardens
Chiswick House Gardens presented with a black poplar tree by Sir David Attenborough to commemorate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee in 2012