Coronation Garden

King Charles III and Queen Camilla opened the majestic Coronation Garden at Hazelbank Park, Newtownabbey, on Wednesday 24 May 2023 as their first engagement on a two day visit to Northern Ireland.

Following the official opening of the glorious gates to the Coronation Garden, the party embarked on their tour led by Garden designer Diarmuid Gavin. Their Majesties met the design and creative team behind the show-stopping garden, and a few of the CAFRE students who assisted with the some of the planting.

Their Majesties where treated to a musical performance of dancing topiary and spinning conical trees, before making their way to the viewing balcony where they enjoyed magnificent views of the garden and Belfast Lough.

Located in the beautiful setting of Hazelbank Park, The Coronation Garden has been designed by award-winning gardener Diarmuid Gavin and will be a floral tapestry with classical architecture style, planted in a pollinator friendly and sustainable way reflecting some of the great loves of His Royal Highness King Charles III.

Officially opening on Thursday 25 May 2023, the Coronation Garden is an ornate three floor pavilion topped by a crown. This magnificent Coronation Garden will treat visitors to a musical performance of dancing topiary and spinning conical trees every fifteen minutes.

King Charles III has spent a lifetime promoting gardening and care for the environment having developed his own beautiful garden using sustainable methods, this specially commissioned Coronation Garden will adopt the same principles.

Click here to hear Diarmuid Gavin's interview with BBC Radio Ulster on 3 May 2023

Click here to watch Dairmud Gavin's interview with BBC News on 3 May 2023