The Princess Royal chuckled at a secret corgi tribute unveiled as part of the grand opening of a garden in memory of her late mother at Regent’s Park.
Anne formally unveiled the garden on what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday.
Blacksmiths Ian Kebby and Ian Thackray, who crafted the garden’s metalwork, had discreetly incorporated a corgi into a skylight design.
The feature, originally intended for cast iron wildflowers, served as a subtle nod to the late monarch’s beloved dogs. Upon noticing the hidden detail, Anne "chuckled loudly," adding that "the late Queen loved gardens because of her pets."
The craftsmen later presented her with a cast iron Princess Anne rose, prompting her to ask: "Is this for me?"
Anne wore an orange knee-length coat with gold brooch, a red scarf patterned with flora, and black leather boots, gloves and a handbag to walk around the new gardens with Dr Linda Yueh, chairwoman of the Royal Parks.
She also spoke with Josephine Jackson, the first female gardener employed by the Royal Parks in 1956, and said the late monarch loved gardens “because the dogs needed to go out”.
While dogs are allowed in the rest of the park, only assistance dogs are permitted in the Queen Elizabeth II Garden.
During her speech to unveil the commemorative plaque, Anne said: “Gardens are important for a number of reasons, in terms of historical perspective. When she [Queen Elizabeth II] was growing up, the gardens were one aspect of life that changed dramatically during the war to become places where everybody grew things, and then the spaces afterwards became used for other things.
“This is a lovely evolution of that whole voyage of garden design.”
The Queen Elizabeth II Garden, a two-acre site built on a former horticultural nursery, will officially welcome visitors from April 27.
The project, led by the Royal Parks, transformed previously inaccessible brownfield land. The viewing platform housing the skylight overlooks the garden and was repurposed from a water tower on the old site.
The garden was designed with biodiversity in mind. It features wildflower meadows, native hedgerows and trees planted to symbolise the strength of the monarchy, according to the Royal Parks.
A meandering path circles the garden and reflects key aspects of the late Queen’s life, including lily of the valley, her favourite flower, which was part of her coronation bouquet, and a specially selected magnolia that blooms in April, around the time of her birthday.
The garden was designed by HTA Design and horticulturist Fiona Packe was appointed head gardener.
The late Queen became patron of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in 1952, the year she acceded to the throne, and attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show regularly during her 70-year reign.
Read MoreLate Queen Elizabeth II's legacy still looms over British monarchy 100 years after her birth
King Charles to lead series of royal events marking Queen Elizabeth’s 100th birthday
