Their Majesties meet designer of RNLI lifeguard garden at RHS Sandringham Show

Chloe Erskine explained to Their Majesties how the garden reflects the lifesaving work of RNLI lifeguards who patrol over 240 beaches across the UK and Channel Islands, and are celebrating their 25^th anniversary this year. Since the service began in 2001, they have saved over 2,000 lives. Crucially, during this time, they have carried out more than 48 million preventative actions by sharing water safety advice with beach visitors.

The garden is in one of the show’s Community Cubes, where botanical art can be viewed from all sides. It shows a coastal dune landscape, positioned between two red and yellow lifeguarding flags. The area between the red and yellow flag represents where RNLI lifeguards determine is the safest place to swim on a beach. The fingerpost in the garden points to the rest of the UK, showing the RNLI’s national reach and achievements.

Peter Dawes, RNLI General Manager of Lifeguard Operations said: ‘During the RNLI’s 25^th anniversary of lifeguard patrols, we are honoured that Their Majesties showed support for our garden. Its focus on red and yellow flags highlights the preventative work of our lifeguards as much as their rescues. Through offering safety advice to beach visitors, to delivering educational workshops at schools, our lifeguards are constantly working to keep the UK and Channel Islands’ beaches a safe and enjoyable place.’

Chloe Erskine said: ‘It was a privilege of the highest measure to meet The King and Queen, and to tell Their Majesties about the inspiration behind Swim Between the Flags. One of the most enjoyable parts of the creation process has been learning more about the work of the RNLI, in particular the lifeguards, who are celebrating 25 years of lifeguarding in 2026. I am keen to continue supporting the organisation in the future and help support their lifesaving work.’

The inaugural RHS Sandringham Flower Show takes place between 22 – 26 July 2026. It is being held in the Royal grounds of the Norfolk estate and is open to the public.

If you are visiting the coast this summer, ensure you visit a lifeguarded beach. Find your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach here.

Notes to editors

· Download high-res photos here.

· Learn more about the Swim Between the Flags garden here.

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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 147,000 lives.

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For further information, please contact:

Emma Holly, RNLI National Communications Placement for RNLI, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.