LOVE IN FULL BLOOM AS T.V. GARDENER MANOJ MALDE MARRIES HIS LONG-TERM PARTNER

'It's a Chelsea first and Chelsea one-off it's not something you expect to happen at a flower show'

- JUBIDA BEGUM

Not many people can say they married their soulmate in a historic wedding ceremony and met the King and Queen on the same day, but that’s exactly what happened to garden designer Manoj Malde and his new husband Clive Gillmor.

Manoj, the ambassador for inclusivity and diversity at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), and horticulturalist Clive became the first samesex couple to tie the knot in the Chelsea Flower Show’s 110-year history.

The traditional Hindu ceremony took place at the Eastern Eye Garden of Unity, which Manoj designed for this year’s event, and was attended by a crowd of 30 family members and friends.

Bright floral arrangements and colourful displays of Japanese cherry, cardoons and oregano were complemented by sitar and flute music as the couple said their vows after 33 years together.