Chloe Erskine, designer of the Swim Between the Flags Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) garden was honoured to meet His Majesty The King, Patron of the RNLI, and Her Majesty The Queen at The RHS Sandringham Flower 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 25th 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 25thanniversary 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.
