Queen Elizabeth II refused assistance in planting a Hornbeam tree at a ceremony celebrating 100 years of crop research at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in Cambridge.
The 93-year-old monarch assured NIAB Chairman Jim Godfrey that she was up to the task of planting the small tree. She graciously brushed him aside and said, “No, no. I’m more than capable.”
The queen picked up the garden spade and completed the ceremonial planting alone which made a mark on the institute’s staff, who later tweeted, “We’re so impressed with The Queen’s efforts with a spade, that there is always a job going for her with our trials team! 🙂 Queen of spades, anyone?”
We’re so impressed with The Queen’s efforts with a spade, that there is always a job going for her with our trials team! 🙂 Queen of spades, anyone?♠️#RoyalVisitCambridge #NIABCentenary https://t.co/iaPN2gtnVk
— NIAB (@NIABTAG) July 10, 2019
The planting of the Hornbeam tree on Monday marked 98 years since the queen’s grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary, planted a Mulberry tree during a royal visit to the institute in 1921 where they planted a Mulberry tree.
King George V and Queen Mary, were the first members of the Royal Family to visit @NIABTAG in 1921 where Queen Mary planted a Mulberry tree.
Today The Queen also planted a Hornbeam Tree at NIAB.
? 1 @NIABTAG pic.twitter.com/XB4g6nJBRm— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 9, 2019
