King Charles is planning to transform his Norfolk estate by tearing up its immaculate lawn and planting a new 'climate-friendly' garden in its place.
The monarch wants to turn the lovingly-manicured area in front of Sandringham House into a topiary display, with thousands of yew tree hedging plants, lavender and roses.
The space has previously hosted garden parties and was used to grow vegetables as part of the Dig for Victory campaign in the Second World War.
The estate said the changes were intended to bring "increased naturalistic planting to the area to improve biodiversity".
It added: "In recent years, with changing weather patterns the current expanse of lawn has been affected by warm weather and excessive rainfall.
"The newly-developed garden will introduce new species that are more robust, hardy and better able to withstand the impact of emerging weather patterns."
Gravel paths will enable visitors to experience the garden, which will bring new varieties of plants and flowers.
The estate went on: "The garden will combine specialist horticultural practices and techniques to ensure the topiary is maintained with plentiful visual seasonal colour from the flowers. In addition, it will create a rich source for pollinators and the provision of new habitats."
It said the new plantings would include more than 5,000 yew tree hedging plants in a range of sizes, along with more than 4,000 herbaceous perennial plants and bulbs including Veronica), Delphinium, Phlox, Echinacea, Lavender and other species.
The central area will also feature yellow and pink rose varieties.
The King has set his stamp on Sandringham, since taking over the running of the 20,000-acre estate from his late father, Prince Philip, in 2017.
A stalwart supporter of its annual flower show, the monarch has also overseen the roll-out of organic farming methods, the planting of hedgerows and measures to encourage wildlife such as the threatened curlew.
Sandringham Gardens will reopen to visitors in early February as the work continues. The garden is expected to be completed by the end of May.
WINDS OF CHANGE
The King has given another indication of the winds of change in the monarchy after he asked for profits from a £1bn-a-year Crown Estate windfarm deal to be used for the “wider public good” rather than as extra funding for the Royal family.
Under the taxpayer-funded sovereign grant, which is now £86.3m a year, the king receives 25% of the Crown Estate’s annual surplus, which includes an extra 10% for the refurbishment of Buckingham Palace.
Six new offshore wind energy lease agreements, announced by the Crown Estate this week, have generated a major windfall, which would usually lead to a jump in the monarchy’s official funding.
But the King has requested that the extra funds “be directed for wider public good”, instead of to the sovereign grant, at a time when many are facing financial hardship.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here