Narrator: BUCKINGHAM PALACE IN LONDON
IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS BUILDINGS IN THE WORLD.
BUT WHAT LIES BEYOND THIS GRAND FACADE
IS ONE OF BRITAIN'S BEST-KEPT SECRETS.
THE GARDENS OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE
ARE NOT JUST A SUMMER STATEROOM OF THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY...
BUT ARE A NATIONAL TREASURE IN THEMSELVES...
A UNIQUE SANCTUARY FOR WILDLIFE
IN THE HEART OF LONDON...
AND A WINDOW INTO THE PAST
THROUGH WHICH ALMOST EVERY PLANT HAS A ROYAL STORY TO TELL.
IT'S A TALE THAT SPANS 5 CENTURIES.
THIS IS WHERE A KING TRIED TO MAKE SILK,
WHERE HENRY VIII HUNTED DEER,
AND WHERE A QUEEN KEPT A PRIVATE MENAGERIE.
FOR ALMOST 80 YEARS, QUEEN ELIZABETH II
HAS MADE THIS GARDEN HER OWN.
IT'S BEEN A ROYAL PLAYGROUND,
A SOURCE OF PRODUCE,
AND ABOVE ALL, A PLACE OF REFUGE.
THIS IS A UNIQUE JOURNEY THROUGH THE SEASONS
IN ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE GARDENS IN THE WORLD.
Announcer: "THE QUEEN'S GARDEN" WAS MADE POSSIBLE
IN PART BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM...
IT'S MIDSUMMER IN LONDON.
VISITORS FLOCK TO ADMIRE
ONE OF THE CAPITAL'S BIGGEST ATTRACTIONS.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE HAS BEEN HOME TO THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY
FOR OVER 150 YEARS.
TODAY, UNSEEN BY TOURISTS, BEHIND THESE WALLS,
A VERY SPECIAL EVENT IS TAKING PLACE.
EVERY YEAR, THE BRITISH MONARCH HOSTS A SMALL NUMBER
OF PRESTIGIOUS GARDEN PARTIES.
THEY'RE HER MAJESTY'S WAY OF SAYING THANK YOU
TO THOSE WHO HAVE MADE A SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION
TO THE COMMUNITY, COUNTRY, AND THE COMMONWEALTH.
THE QUEEN'S GUESTS TAKE TEA AND ENJOY
THE NATURAL SPLENDOR OF HER GARDEN.
LIKE THE MAGNIFICENT BLOOMS
WHICH CREATE A BACKDROP TO THE ROYAL OCCASION,
THESE PARTIES ARE PART OF THE CYCLE OF LIFE
IN THIS GARDEN.
BUT THE GUESTS ONLY GLIMPSE A FRACTION OF ITS TRUE MAGIC
BEFORE THEY LEAVE.
THE ACTUAL GARDEN SPANS 39 ACRES,
THE SIZE OF ABOUT 30 AMERICAN FOOTBALL FIELDS.
IT IS DIVIDED INTO 3 AREAS--
THE ROSE GARDEN, WHICH BACKS ONTO
HYDE PARK CORNER TO THE NORTH;
HARRISONS, WHICH INCORPORATES THE FAMOUS LAWN;
AND TO THE SOUTH, THE WILDEST AREA
KNOWN AS THE YARD, WHICH INCLUDES AN ISLAND
ON A 3-ACRE MANMADE LAKE.
MUCH OF THE GARDEN IS A PARADISE OF UNTAMED WILDERNESS.
IT IS HOME TO 350 SPECIES OF BRITISH WILDFLOWERS,
83 SPECIES OF BIRDS,
AND 2,500 SPECIES OF INSECTS,
INCLUDING THE SPECTACULAR TORTOISE SHELL BUTTERFLY.
THE GARDEN CHANGES DRAMATICALLY WITH THE SEASONS.
DURING THE COURSE OF A YEAR,
SPECIALLY DESIGNED CAMERA TRAPS HIDDEN IN THE TREES
WILL CAPTURE THE DRAMA OF THE 4 SEASONS UP CLOSE,
PROVIDING A UNIQUE WINDOW ON A SECRET WORLD.
ROYAL GARDENERS WILL DIVULGE THEIR TRICKS OF THE TRADE,
AND PALACE EXPERTS WILL TELL THE STORY
OF THE KINGS AND QUEENS WHO MADE THIS GARDEN THEIR OWN.
TO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
OF THIS UNIQUE PIECE OF LAND,
YOU NEED TO GO BACK ALMOST 500 YEARS.
THE SCENE MIGHT HAVE LOOKED LIKE THIS.
[DEER BELLOWING]
ENGLAND'S MOST FAMOUS KING, HENRY VIII,
HAD EVICTED THE LOCAL RESIDENTS
TO CREATE A VAST HUNTING GROUND
FOR HIS PERSONAL USE.
AS THE CITY GREW, THIS LAND WAS DIVIDED UP
INTO CENTRAL LONDON'S ROYAL PARKS.
ONLY THE GARDEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE
REMAINS EXCLUSIVELY IN ROYAL HANDS.
DEER MAY NO LONGER ROAM HERE, BUT WHAT REMAINS
IS A GARDEN LIKE NO OTHER IN THE WORLD.
TREES WERE PLANTED BY KINGS AND QUEENS,
PRINCES AND PRINCESSES.
MANY PLANTS HERE TELL A STORY,
WITH LINKS TO THE PAST NOT JUST TO NATURAL HISTORY,
BUT TO THE HISTORY OF THE BRITISH CROWN.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II,
PICTURED HERE WITH HER YOUNGER SISTER MARGARET,
HAS SHOWN AN ENTHUSIASM FOR GARDENING SINCE CHILDHOOD.
HER MAJESTY HAS ALWAYS CONSULTED REGULARLY
WITH HER GARDENERS, WHO RUN THE GARDEN ON HER BEHALF,
AS SEEN HERE IN THE 1970's.
IT'S NOT JUST THE PLANTS
THAT HOLD A FASCINATION FOR HER MAJESTY.
FAMOUS FOR HER FONDNESS FOR HORSES AND HER CORGI DOGS,
HER LOVE OF ANIMALS IS HEARTFELT,
AND SHE HAS DONE PERHAPS MORE THAN ANY OTHER MONARCH
TO FOSTER THE WILDLIFE HERE.
[DOGS BARKING]
IT'S THE HEIGHT OF SUMMER.
AWAY FROM THE ROYAL GARDEN PARTIES,
ANOTHER QUEEN IS HOLDING COURT,
SURROUNDED BY HER ARMY OF WORKERS.
HER MAJESTY'S BEES LIVE IN 4 WOODEN PALACES
ON THE ISLAND IN THE LAKE.
IN 2008, LONDON BEEKEEPER JOHN CHAPPLE
GOT A SURPRISE SUMMONS FROM THE PALACE.
Chapple: OUT OF THE BLUE CAME AN E-MAIL
TO COME AND TALK ABOUT BEES,
AND I DUTILY CAME ALONG, THINKING,
"OH, THEY MUST HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BEES."
BUT IT TURNS OUT IT WAS REALLY
LIKE AN INTERVIEW FOR A JOB,
AND WOULD I LIKE TO KEEP BEES HERE AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE?
AND WHEN THAT OFFER WAS MADE, YOU CAN'T SAY NO
TO KEEP BEES IN ONE OF THE MOST WONDERFUL PLACES IN LONDON.
Narrator: TO MAKE THE BEST HONEY,
THE BEES NEED A PLENTIFUL SUPPLY
OF TOP-QUALITY NECTAR,
WHICH CAN BE SCARCE IN CENTRAL LONDON.
BUT HERE DURING THE SUMMER,
WILDFLOWERS ARE BLOOMING AROUND THE LAKE,
AND THE HERBACEOUS BORDER IS AWASH WITH COLOR.
PROFESSOR JULIET OSBORNE AND DR. PETER KENNEDY
ARE HERE TO FIND OUT WHICH ARE THE BEES' FAVORITE SPOTS
FOR NECTAR AND POLLEN GATHERING.
Kennedy: GOT A POLLEN FORAGER.
WONDERING IF SHE'S GONNA DANCE.
AND HERE SHE GOES. YEP.
Narrator: THEY HAVE INTRODUCED BEES
IN A SPECIAL GLASS-FRONTED BEEHIVE
IN THE ROSE GARDEN TO WATCH THE BEES' WAGGLE DANCE.
6 CIRCUITS ON THAT ONE.
Osborne: YES. THIS IS GOOD DATA.
Narrator: THE WAGGLE DANCE IS A FASCINATING EXAMPLE
OF BEE LANGUAGE AND IS HOW THEY TELL EACH OTHER
WHERE TO FIND THE BEST FLOWERS.
THE ANGLE OF THE BEE'S BODY INDICATES
THE DIRECTION OF THE NECTAR, AND THE LENGTH OF THE DANCE
REVEALS THE DISTANCE THE BEES HAVE TO FLY.
SO, JOHN, YOU CAN SEE WE HAD
YOUR OBSERVATION HIVE OVER HERE,
AND WE'VE PLOTTED AT LEAST ONE BEE
THAT WAS DANCING TO FORAGE OVER HERE,
WHICH SEEMS TO BE NEAR
THIS VERY LONG MANAGED HERBACEOUS BORDER HERE.
IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL BORDER.
AND THERE'S SOMETHING FLOWERING IN HERE ALL THE YEAR AROUND.
LOOK AT THE BEES ON THIS--1, 2, 3, 4.
HONEYBEES.
Narrator: AFTER ANALYZING 60 WAGGLE DANCES,
THE SCIENTISTS DISCOVER THAT THE MAJORITY
OF THE INTRODUCED BEES HAVE JOINED THE QUEEN'S RESIDENT BEES
FORAGING AMONG THE WILDFLOWERS ON THE LAKE,
SHOWING THAT HER MAJESTY HAS PICKED THE IDEAL SPOT
FOR HER HIVES.
Chapple: IT'S PERFECT FOR THE BEES,
AND IT'S LEFT VIRTUALLY WILD.
BASICALLY, IT'S AS NATURAL AS YOU CAN GET.
AND THIS, IT MUST BE ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE SITES IN LONDON
THAT'S LEFT NATURAL.
THERE AREN'T MANY PLACES THAT ARE NEAR HEAVEN,
AND THIS IS NEAR ONE.
THIS IS NEAR HEAVEN FOR BEES.
QUEEN ELIZABETH IS PROUD OF HER HONEY.
NOT ONLY IS IT USED IN THE ROYAL KITCHENS,
SHE HAS EVEN GIVEN SOME TO THE POPE.
THIS IS A GIFT FROM ALL OUR ESTATES,
WHICH IS FOR YOU PERSONALLY.
[TRANSLATOR SPEAKING]
IT'S FROM MY GARDEN.
Narrator: THIS HAS BEEN THE GARDEN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II
FOR LONGER THAN ANY OTHER BRITISH ROYAL.
RARELY SEEN FILM CAPTURES THE 11-YEAR-OLD PRINCESS
WITH HER PARENTS AND HER SISTER, PRINCESS MARGARET,
JUST AFTER THEY MOVED INTO THE PALACE.
Newsreel announcer: THE TWO DOGS ARE CORGI TERRIERS.
THEY BELONG TO THE PRINCESSES AND ARE NAMED DOUCHI AND JANE.
Narrator: HER FATHER HAD JUST BECOME KING GEORGE VI
FOLLOWING THE SENSATIONAL ABDICATION OF HIS BROTHER.
Newsreel announcer: WELL CAUGHT.
BUT THE NEXT ONE IS BUTTERFINGERS.
Narrator: BUT ACCORDING TO THE MEMOIRS
OF THEIR GOVERNESS, MARION CRAWFORD,
WHICH SHOCKED THE BRITISH PUBLIC
WHEN THEY WERE PUBLISHED IN 1950,
IT WAS SOMETHING OF A GILDED CAGE
FOR ELIZABETH AND HER SISTER.
DR. LUCY WORSLEY IS THE CHIEF CURATOR
FOR THE HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES.
THIS IS A KEY PLACE IN MARION CRAWFORD'S MEMOIRS
BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT SHE CALLS
"THE HILL AT THE END OF THE GARDEN,"
AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE WAS THAT THE GIRLS, THE PRINCESSES,
WOULD COME UP HERE AND LOOK AT THE OUTSIDE WORLD,
SEEING THE CARS-- THAT WAS QUITE EXCITING--
SEEING THE OTHER CHILDREN WITH THEIR NANNIES
GOING UP TO THE PARK.
THE YOUNGER ONE, THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROSE,
THE FASHION LOVER, IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN
FASCINATED BY WHAT THE CHILDREN WERE WEARING,
WHEREAS HER ELDER SISTER, THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH,
WHO'S A MORE PRACTICAL SORT OF TOMBOY,
SHE IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE SEEN A LITTLE BOY WITH A BICYCLE,
AND SHE'S SUPPOSED TO HAVE SAID, IN LONGING TONES,
"ONE DAY, I TOO WILL OWN A BICYCLE."
Narrator: IT'S THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST,
AND THE FAMOUS PALACE ROSE GARDEN IS IN ITS GLORY.
SITUATED IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE GROUNDS,
IT IS STEEPED IN HISTORY.
TOWERING IN THE CENTER IS THE 15-FOOT WATERLOO VASE,
BOOTY FROM THE NAPOLEONIC WARS,
AND THE SIGHTS AND SCENTS OF THE GARDEN CAN BE ADMIRED
FROM THE ELEGANT 18th-CENTURY SUMMER HOUSE.
THERE ARE 25 FLOWERBEDS HERE,
EACH HOME TO A DIFFERENT VARIETY OF ROSE.
STUART BOURNE IS THE GARDENER WHO TENDS THE ROSES.
EVERY PART OF IT HAS GOT A HISTORY,
AND IT'S FUN TO... WHEN YOU'RE WEEDING THE BED,
TO UNDERSTAND THAT HISTORY,
AND SOME BEDS COULD BE 20 YEARS OLD,
SOME A HUNDRED YEARS OLD.
Narrator: MANY HAVE A ROYAL CONNECTION,
FROM THE IRIDESCENT GOLDEN WEDDING
TO A HANDSOME RED ROSE
CREATED FOR THE BIRTH OF THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE
CALLED THE ROYAL WILLIAM.
SUCH RICHES DON'T GO UNNOTICED,
ESPECIALLY BY SOME RATHER UNWELCOME ADMIRERS.
GREENFLY ARE THE BANE OF EVERY GARDENER IN SUMMER.
BUT THE QUEEN PREFERS HER GARDENERS
NOT TO USE PESTICIDES.
INSTEAD, THEIR SECRET INGREDIENT IS SOMETHING
YOU'D USUALLY EXPECT TO FIND USED IN THE KITCHEN--
GARLIC.
GARDENERS USED DRUMS OF WATER INFUSED WITH GARLIC POWDER.
TO THE GREENFLY, IT'S A KILLER.
EVERY GARDEN HAS TO HAVE
AN ELEMENT OF US CONTROLLING NATURE.
WE DO GET A FEW COMMENTS, ESPECIALLY FROM THE FOOTMEN
WHEN THEY WALK PAST ON THE SMELL OF IT,
BUT THE SMELL DISAPPEARS AFTER ABOUT A DAY,
BUT THE PESTS STAY AWAY FOR LONGER.
Narrator: AND TO FINISH THE JOB,
THERE ARE NATURAL REINFORCEMENTS.
LADYBUGS MAKE A MEAL OF THE STRAGGLERS.
THE RESULTS ARE ROSES THAT ARE ALMOST APHID FREE.
IT WAS OVER 200 YEARS AGO
THAT THE QUEEN'S DIRECT ANCESTOR, GEORGE III,
BOUGHT BUCKINGHAM HOUSE IN 1761
AND TURNED IT INTO A ROYAL HOME FOR HIS WIFE, QUEEN CHARLOTTE,
AND THEIR 15 CHILDREN.
QUEEN CHARLOTTE WASN'T JUST FAMOUS
FOR THE HUGE FAMILY HOME SHE CREATED,
SHE IS ALSO REMEMBERED FOR WHAT SHE KEPT IN HER GARDEN.
Worsley: SHE WAS GIVEN, AS A GIFT,
THE FIRST ZEBRA TO BE SEEN IN ENGLAND,
OR AS IT WAS DESCRIBED IN THE GEORGIAN NEWSPAPERS,
"THE PAINTED ASS."
Narrator: THE ZEBRA WAS KEPT IN A PADDOCK
IN FRONT OF THE PALACE IN FULL VIEW OF THE PUBLIC.
IT WAS THE FIRST OF MANY EXOTIC CREATURES
FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE
THAT WERE HOUSED HERE, ATTRACTING CROWDS OF ONLOOKERS.
IT BECAME KNOWN AS CHARLOTTE'S MENAGERIE.
Worsley: IT WAS JOINED BY AN ELEPHANT,
ANOTHER DIPLOMATIC GIFT. HE CAME WITH HIS OWN KEEPER.
SHE ALSO HAD SOMETHING CALLED A TURKEY MONKEY.
NOW, THIS DOESN'T MEAN HALF-MONKEY, HALF-TURKEY.
IT MEANS A MONKEY FROM TURKEY.
AND WE KNOW THAT SHE HAD THIS BECAUSE HER JOINER WAS PAID--
THERE ARE ACCOUNTS OF A CAGE TO BE CONSTRUCTED FOR IT.
ALL OF THESE ANIMALS ENDED UP, THOUGH,
BEING TAKEN OFF TO THE TOWER OF LONDON,
WHICH WAS WHERE THE ROYAL MENAGERIE REALLY LIVED.
THERE IS NO LONGER A MENAGERIE IN THE GARDEN,
JUST THE OCCASIONAL FOREIGN VISITOR,
LIKE THIS PARAKEET.
BUT THE QUEEN DID MAINTAIN
A LITTLE OF QUEEN CHARLOTTE'S LEGACY.
Worsley: THERE'S A LONG TRADITION OF EXOTIC ANIMALS
THAT HAVE LIVED HERE IN THE GARDENS OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE,
MOST RECENTLY THE FLAMINGOES.
THERE WAS A FLOCK OF FLAMINGOES FROM KENYA ON THE LAKE
UNTIL 1996, AND THEY USED TO BE FED SHRIMPS
FROM BILLINGSGATE FISH MARKET.
THAT WAS TO KEEP UP THEIR PINK COLOR.
I'M SORRY TO SAY THEY WERE EATEN BY A FOX.
Narrator: THE GARDEN PARTY SEASON IS OVER,
AND AS SUMMER DRAWS TO A CLOSE, IT'S TIME TO HARVEST
SOME OF THE GARDEN'S MOST FAMOUS PRODUCE
BEFORE THE BIRDS GET THERE FIRST.
THIS IS BRITAIN'S NATIONAL COLLECTION OF MULBERRIES,
WITH OVER 30 DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF MULBERRY TREE.
THEIR DELICIOUS FRUIT GOES INTO ROYAL PUDDINGS
FOR THE QUEEN AND HER HOUSEHOLD AND FOR BANQUETS.
BUT ORIGINALLY THESE MULBERRIES WERE NOT PLANTED
FOR THEIR BERRIES.
Worsley: IF YOU BELIEVE THE PLAQUE DOWN THERE,
THIS TREE WAS PLANTED IN 1609, THIS MULBERRY.
THAT WOULD MAKE IT THE OLDEST TREE IN THE GARDEN.
ACTUALLY WE DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S THE CASE.
WE THINK THAT'S A VERY IMAGINATIVE PLAQUE,
BECAUSE MULBERRY TREES GET PREMATURELY OLD.
BUT THERE'S A REASON THAT SOMEBODY HAS GONE WITH 1609,
AND THAT'S BECAUSE IN 1608-- THIS IS TRUE--
JAMES I SET UP A MULBERRY GARDEN AROUND HERE.
HE EMPLOYED TWO MEN WHO WERE CALLED
"THE KING'S MULBERRY MEN"-- IT'S A GREAT JOB TITLE--
AND THEY PLANTED UP A 4-ACRE WALLED GARDEN
WITH BLACK MULBERRIES,
AND HIS PLAN WAS TO CREATE AN ENGLISH SILK INDUSTRY.
Narrator: KING JAMES WAS HOPING TO PROVIDE
FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL CREATURE, A SILK MOTH.
MULBERRY LEAVES ARE AN IDEAL FOOD FOR SILKWORMS,
WHICH SPIN COCOONS OF SILK.
BUT DESPITE JAMES' EFFORTS,
NO SILKWORMS FEASTED ON THE LEAVES OF THESE TREES.
Worsley: THE PROBLEM WAS
THAT SILKWORMS PREFER WHITE MULBERRIES,
A DIFFERENT KIND OF TREE, AND THERE'S A CONSPIRACY THEORY
THAT THIS WAS ALL THE FAULT OF THE FRENCH.
IT WAS A WICKED PLOT.
THEY FED MISINFORMATION TO THE MULBERRY MEN
TO PLANT THE WRONG KIND OF TREE
SO THE ENGLISH SILK INDUSTRY WOULDN'T TAKE OFF.
Narrator: KING JAMES MAY NOT HAVE GOT HIS SILK,
BUT HE LEFT A REMARKABLE LEGACY
FOR THE BOTANICAL WORLD.
AS THE LEAVES BEGIN TO FALL,
THE PALACE GARDEN BECOMES A STOPPING-OFF POINT
FOR MORE VISITORS.
[GEESE HONKING]
CANADA AND EGYPTIAN GEESE USE THE PALACE LAWN
AS A REFUELING STOP
AS THEY DO THE ROUNDS OF LONDON'S ROYAL PARKS.
IT'S A BIT OF A HEADACHE FOR THE GARDENERS THIS YEAR,
AS THEY NEED THE LAWN TO BE IN TIPTOP CONDITION
FOR A VERY SPECIAL EVENT.
THE QUEEN'S GRANDSON HAS ORGANIZED
A FOOTBALL MATCH, WINDSOR-STYLE.
Prince William: I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW EXCITED I AM
THAT LATER TODAY WE WILL BE PLAYING FOOTBALL
ON MY GRANDMOTHER'S LAWN.
ONE WARNING, THOUGH-- IF ANYONE BREAKS A WINDOW,
YOU CAN ANSWER TO HER.
Narrator: THE PRINCE IS PRESIDENT
OF THE ENGLISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION,
AND THIS MATCH MARKS ITS 150th ANNIVERSARY.
IT'S THE FIRST TIME
FOOTBALL HAS EVER BEEN PLAYED ON THIS LAWN...
AND SURELY THE FIRST TIME FOOTBALLERS ANYWHERE
HAVE PLAYED ON TURF DOTTED WITH WILD CHAMOMILE,
PLANTED FOR ITS DELICATE SCENT.
THE JOB OF THE PALACE GARDENERS CHANGES AS THE SEASONS MOVE ON.
DEPUTY GARDENS MANAGER CLAIRE MIDGLEY-ADAM
HAS WORKED HERE FOR 7 YEARS.
Midgley-Adam: IN AUTUMN, IT'S AS BUSY AS EVER.
WE DO A LOT OF LEAF CLEARING.
SO FROM OCTOBER ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO JANUARY,
WE'LL BE COLLECTING ALL THE LEAVES.
THERE'S A LOT OF MULCHING SHRUB BEDS AND WEEDING
JUST TO CLEAR THE BEDS OUT.
WE'RE PLANTING AND PREPARING FOR THE NEXT SEASONS.
I LOVE THE CHANGE OF THE COLORS IN AUTUMN, THIS TIME OF YEAR.
THERE'S SUCH A VARIETY OF PLANTS
THAT CHANGE INTO BEAUTIFUL COLORS.
WORKING HERE AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE GARDENS
IS VERY SPECIAL.
YOU DO STAND TALLER AND TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR WORK.
Narrator: ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT GARDENERS ARE MOST PROUD OF HERE
IS THAT THE GARDEN IS RUN USING GREEN METHODS
WITH MINIMAL CHEMICAL FERTILIZER.
ALL PLANT WASTE IS SHREDDED AND RECYCLED.
BUT IT NEEDS ANOTHER MAGIC INGREDIENT
TO MAKE IT A SUPER FUEL FOR PLANTS.
LUCKILY, HER MAJESTY HAS A READY SUPPLY
OF A RICH ORGANIC INGREDIENT THAT WOULD TURN MOST GARDENERS
GREEN WITH ENVY.
IT'S PRODUCED IN VAST QUANTITIES IN THE STABLES
IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CORNER OF THE GARDEN,
KNOWN AS THE ROYAL MEWS.
Hargreaves: THE MAIN PURPOSE AND FUNCTION OF THE ROYAL MEWS
IS TO PROVIDE STATE AND CEREMONIAL TRANSPORTATION
FOR HER MAJESTY, HER FAMILY, AND OF COURSE HER GUESTS
THROUGHOUT THE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Narrator: HERE THE ROYAL MESSENGER COACH
IS PREPARED FOR ITS CIRCUIT OF LONDON'S ROYAL RESIDENCES,
DELIVERING THE MAIL IN JUST THE SAME WAY
AS IT WAS DONE IN QUEEN VICTORIA'S REIGN.
Hargreaves: THIS THING HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 1843,
SO NEARLY 170 YEARS NOW THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING.
AND IT'S NOT JUST A TRADITION.
IT'S ALSO A GOOD TRAINING TOOL TO PUT HORSES OUT
FOR THEIR FIRST SORT OF MINOR JOBS.
Narrator: AND TWO LUCKY GROOMS COLLECT
WHAT'S KNOWN HERE AS "THE ARISINGS,"
POLITE PARLOR-SPEAK FOR PROBABLY THE FINEST MANURE IN THE LAND,
TWO TONS A DAY.
Hargreaves: SO THERE'S QUITE A LOT OF MANURE PRODUCED.
WE CAN PRODUCE A SKIP, MAYBE A SKIP AND A HALF A DAY,
DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH TIME
THE HORSES ARE ACTUALLY SPENDING IN THE STABLES.
Narrator: IT'S THEN COMBINED WITH THE GARDEN'S SEASONAL WASTE
TO PRODUCE A HIGH-QUALITY ORGANIC COMPOST,
WHICH IS USED TO FEED THE MILES OF ROYAL FLOWERBEDS.
COMPOST HEAPS AREN'T JUST A SOURCE OF ORGANIC FERTILIZER.
THEY ARE AN ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM IN THEIR OWN RIGHT.
INVERTEBRATES OF MANY SPECIES
FLOURISH IN ROTTING ORGANIC MATTER,
AND MILLIONS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF BACTERIA
CREATE A WARM ENVIRONMENT, WHICH MAKES
A COZY HABITAT FOR SMALL MAMMALS.
COMPOST ALSO PROVIDES A GREAT ENVIRONMENT FOR FUNGI,
AND HERE IN THE PALACE GARDEN,
THERE IS AN UNUSUALLY PLENTIFUL ARRAY.
A SURVEY FOUND OVER A THOUSAND DIFFERENT KINDS OF FUNGI HERE...
FROM THE APTLY NAMED ORANGE PEEL FUNGUS...
TO THE SHAGGY INK CAP.
AFTER GROWING, IT MELTS.
THE INK IS FULL OF SPORES THAT RUN INTO THE GROUND
IN THE FALL TO GROW MORE MUSHROOMS NEXT YEAR.
THERE ARE 10 TIMES MORE FUNGI HERE
THAN IN THE NEIGHBORING LONDON PARKS.
ONE EXPLANATION IS THAT, DURING THE FALL,
THE GARDEN HAS FEW VISITORS TO DISTURB THE HABITAT.
BUT GARDENERS ALSO ACTIVELY ENCOURAGE FUNGI HERE,
BECAUSE THEY RELEASE NUTRIENTS FROM THE WOOD
BACK INTO THE SOIL.
WE DO CREATE LOG PILES,
AND THEY ATTACH TO THE LOGS AND GROW
AS A SUCCESSFUL HABITAT.
Narrator: SOME SPECIES OF FUNGI HELP THE TREES TO GROW,
WORKING AS OUTRIDERS FOR THE ROOTS,
GIVING THEM NUTRIENTS IN EXCHANGE FOR MINERALS.
ALL THESE EXTRA NUTRIENTS
MAKE THIS WOODLAND EXCEPTIONALLY VIBRANT IN THE FALL.
FUNGI AREN'T THE ONLY WILDLIFE
THAT GET A HELPING HAND FROM THE PALACE.
THE ROYAL GARDENERS ALSO ENCOURAGE
BIRD LIFE IN THE GARDEN.
NEW NEST BOXES ARE INSTALLED IN NOVEMBER
SO THAT THE BIRDS HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO CHECK THEM OUT
BEFORE THE SPRING NESTING SEASON.
THIS YEAR THERE IS ADDITIONAL EXCITEMENT.
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER NIGEL BEAN IS INSTALLING MINI CAMERAS
INTO SPECIALLY ADAPTED BIRD BOXES.
Bean: I THINK WE'LL SWAP THAT ONE.
Narrator: SO THAT THE BIRDS' BREEDING ACTIVITIES
CAN BE OBSERVED.
THAT'S NUMBER 9.
GREAT. SO WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO NOW?
NOT A LOT OVER THE WINTER,
BUT SORT OF COME ABOUT MARCH TIME,
HOPEFULLY BIRDS WILL SHOW AN INTEREST,
AND IF YOU COULD JUST KEEP AN EYE ON THEM,
JUST SEE IF THERE'S ANY NESTING MATERIAL
IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BOX...
YEP. OK.
VERY SOON WE'LL KNOW WHICH BOXES ARE BEING USED
AND RECORD WHICH SPECIES ARE USING WHICH BOXES.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S... HENCE THE NUMBERING SYSTEM.
Narrator: PALACE STAFF WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL EARLY SPRING
TO SEE IF THEY'LL CATCH THE BABY BIRDS ON CAMERA
FOR THE FIRST TIME, BUT IN THE MEANTIME,
NIGEL IS ALSO SETTING UP A CAMERA IN A HOLLOW LOG
WHICH THEY HAVE FILLED WITH ANIMAL FEED
TO HELP FIELD MICE AND VOLES THROUGH THE LONG WINTER MONTHS.
AND HE'S INSTALLED CAMERA TRAPS
IN KEY LOCATIONS AMONG THE TREES
WITH MOTION-SENSITIVE CAMERAS THAT CAN FILM BOTH DAY...
AND NIGHT.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY,
THE SECRETS OF THE PALACE GARDEN
WILL BE CAUGHT BY CAMERA TRAPS.
TEMPERATURES ARE NOW FALLING, AND IN THE ROSE GARDEN,
THE WRAPS GO ON THE NAPOLEONIC VASE FOR WINTER.
CHILLY WINDS STRIP THE TREES OF THEIR LEAVES,
TRANSFORMING THE GARDEN.
THE LAKE PROVIDES AN OASIS FROM THE LONDON CONCRETE JUNGLE
FOR MANY WILDFOWL
WHO NEED A SOURCE OF FOOD AND SHELTER
DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.
SOME OF THE BIRDS HERE ARE ON MIGRATION,
LIKE THIS SHOVELER DUCK,
NAMED AFTER ITS UNUSUAL-SHAPED BILL.
AND MOST CURIOUS OF ALL, A RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE,
NORMALLY ONLY FOUND DEEP IN THE HEART
OF THE BRITISH COUNTRYSIDE.
I'VE JUST SEEN HIM SORT OF SAT ON A WALL,
TAKING A BIT OF COVER, I'M ASSUMING,
FROM WHATEVER'S GOING ON IN THE GARDENS.
HE'LL SORT OF STRUT UP AND DOWN THE WALL.
CLEARLY GOT HIS EYES IN THE GARDEN
FOR WHATEVER HIS NEXT MEAL IS.
A VERY UNUSUAL BIRD TO SEE
IN THE CENTER OF LONDON MOST DEFINITELY.
THEY'RE SHORT FLIERS. THEY'RE NOT SORT OF MIGRATORY.
SO WHERE IT'S COME FROM WE'VE REALLY NO IDEA.
BUT HE'S VERY, VERY UNUSUAL INDEED.
Narrator: IT'S A TIMELY MOMENT
FOR A PARTRIDGE TO VISIT THE PALACE.
IT'S JUST 12 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE FESTIVE PERIOD ARE UNDERWAY.
QUEEN VICTORIA AND HER HUSBAND, PRINCE ALBERT,
WERE PASSIONATE ENTHUSIASTS WHEN IT CAME TO CHRISTMAS.
THEY ADOPTED MANY CUSTOMS FROM ALBERT'S NATIVE GERMANY
AND BROUGHT THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE TO BRITAIN IN 1841,
CREATING A NATIONAL TRADITION.
ALL THE ROYAL GARDENS HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY
IN PREPARING THE PALACE FOR THE BIG DAY.
THE CHRISTMAS TREES ARE PROVIDED BY WINDSOR CASTLE.
AND THE GARDENERS HERE AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE
BRING IN BARROW LOADS OF HOLLY AND MISTLETOE
TO MAKE A DISPLAY THAT VICTORIA AND ALBERT
WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD OF IN THE WHITE DRAWING ROOM.
[CHIMES PLAYING]
AS THE NEW YEAR BREAKS,
FROST MAJESTICALLY TRANSFORMS THE GARDEN.
[GEESE HONKING]
[BIRD CHIRPING]
ROBINS CAN BE SEEN SCRATCHING A LIVING.
THEY ARE TERRITORIAL CREATURES, AND THIS ONE HAS REASON
TO GUARD ITS PATCH WELL.
THE GARDENERS DIG OUT SOME OF THE ROSE BEDS
FOR REPLACEMENTS, REMOVING THE OLD DEBRIS AND ROOTS
FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR THEN ADDING NEW TOPSOIL.
IT PROVIDES A WELCOME TREAT FOR THE ROBIN
AT A TIME WHEN FOOD IS THIN ON THE GROUND.
THE CAMERAS HIDDEN AMONG THE TREES
NOW REVEAL A WEALTH OF ACTIVITY.
THROUGHOUT THE GARDEN,
MANY CREATURES ARE SURVIVING THE CRUELEST MONTHS
THANKS TO CAREFULLY PLACED SUPPLIES OF WINTER FOOD
FOR JAYS, SQUIRRELS, AND GREAT TITS.
WOOD MICE ARE FEASTING OFF GRAIN AND NUTS
HIDDEN IN THE HOLLOW LOG.
EVEN MORE INTRIGUING, THIS CAMERA TRAP REVEALS
THE EXISTENCE OF A MYSTERIOUS PREDATOR.
A LARGE BIRD OF PREY SEEMS TO HAVE CAUGHT
ONE OF THE RODENTS FOR DINNER.
IT'S A COLD FEBRUARY MORNING,
AND ROYAL ORNITHOLOGIST DAVID DARRELL-LAMBERT
IS CONDUCTING A SURVEY OF ALL THE BIRDS IN THE GARDEN,
ORIGINALLY COMMISSIONED BY THE QUEEN IN THE 1960's.
HE IS DETERMINED TO FIND OUT
WHAT BIRD OF PREY IS HUNTING THE SMALL ANIMALS.
[BIRD CHIRPING]
ALTHOUGH HE'S NOT MANAGED TO SEE ONE YET,
HE'S GOT REASON TO BELIEVE THAT IT MAY BE AN OWL.
[GEESE HONKING]
Darrell-Lambert: SO THIS TAWNY OWL
I'VE BEEN HUNTING FOR... FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW.
THE GARDENERS HERE HAVE TOLD ME
THAT THEY'VE BEEN HEARING IT
EARLY ON IN DECEMBER QUITE VOCAL.
SO IT WOULD PROBABLY BE THE MALE ON TERRITORY.
THEY'RE AN EARLIER BREEDER,
SO WE GET A LOT OF NOISE EARLY ON.
Narrator: NO LUCK SO FAR,
BUT DAVID KNOWS THE LIKELY HIDING PLACES.
Darrell-Lambert: THE PALACE GROUNDS ARE GREAT.
IT'S UNDISTURBED. THERE'S LOTS OF LOVELY MATURE TREES.
THEY'RE GONNA HAVE HOLES IN THEM,
SO THEY CAN NEST IN THEM.
SO YOU'VE GOT A LOVELY ISOLATED SPOT FOR THEM HERE.
ANY TAWNY OWLS TEND TO BE FAIRLY SECRETIVE.
UNLESS YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOU'RE LOOKING,
YOU COULD WALK PAST THERE A HUNDRED TIMES
AND NEVER EVER SEE IT BECAUSE THEY JUST SIT TIGHT,
THEY'RE TUCKED AWAY.
EVEN WHEN THERE'S NOT A LOT OF LEAVES,
THEY'RE STILL VERY, VERY HARD TO SEE.
Narrator: NOWADAYS, WINTERS ARE GENERALLY MILD IN LONDON.
BUT IN THE PAST, THE PALACE LAKE
HAS BEEN KNOWN TO FREEZE OVER IN WINTER,
PROVIDING RECREATION FOR MANY ROYALS.
Worsley: THERE ARE THESE FABULOUS PHOTOS FROM 1895
THAT SHOW A WHOLE LOAD OF PEOPLE SKATING ON THE ICE ON THE LAKE.
THEY'RE MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD.
AND SOME OF THEM ARE PLAYING ICE HOCKEY.
IN 1841, PRINCE ALBERT WAS DOING IT,
AND HE WAS GOOD AT SKATING,
BUT ON THIS PARTICULAR OCCASION, HE WAS COMING BACK
ACROSS THE ICE TOWARDS VICTORIA
WHEN THERE WAS A CRACK, AND HE FELL INTO THE WATER.
IT CAME RIGHT OVER HIS HEAD.
AND HE DESCRIBES VICTORIA BEING ON THE BANK
AND WITH HER A LADY-IN-WAITING,
AND THE LADY-IN-WAITING WAS GOING, "HELP! HELP!"
SHE WAS COMPLETELY USELESS.
AND IT WAS ONLY VICTORIA WHO HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND
TO GIVE HIM A HAND AND GET HIM OUT OF THERE.
Narrator: PRINCE ALBERT IS NOT THE ONLY FAMOUS ROYAL
TO HAVE FALLEN IN THE LAKE.
IT WAS ALSO A PLAYGROUND
FOR THE YOUNG PRINCESS ELIZABETH AND HER SISTER.
Worsley: THERE'S A STORY TOLD BY THE GOVERNESS
TO THE LITTLE PRINCESSES, ELIZABETH AND MARGARET ROSE,
AFTER THEY'D MOVED INTO BUCKINGHAM PALACE.
AND THEY LOVED THE LAKE. THEY THINK IT'S WONDERFUL.
AND THE LITTLE GIRLS WERE ALSO VERY INTERESTED
IN A DUCK THAT NESTED ON THE LAKE.
AND THE GOVERNESS TELLS HOW ONE DAY,
PRINCESS ELIZABETH CAME ALL SOAKED IN WATER,
COVERED WITH GREEN SLIME,
AND SHE'D BEEN LOOKING FOR THE DUCK'S NEST,
AND SHE'D FALLEN IN,
AND THAT WAS THE FUTURE QUEEN OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Narrator: AFTER AN EXTENSIVE SEARCH OF THE GARDEN,
ORNITHOLOGIST DAVID DARRELL-LAMBERT
HAS FINALLY FOUND WHAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR.
Darrell-Lambert: AS I WAS WALKING AROUND THE BACK,
I'VE HEARD A "TWISK, TWISK" CALL OF THE YOUNG RIGHT NEXT TO ME,
AND I WAS LIKE...[GASP] GOT A, LIKE, BIG, DEEP BREATH,
LIKE, "OH, MY..." AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN,
I SEE IT RIGHT BESIDE ME-- I'D ACTUALLY WALKED PAST IT--
STARING DOWN AT ME, SO I WAS LIKE...
TRIED TO CALM DOWN A BIT, COMPOSE MYSELF,
GET A FEW PICTURES, AND THEN WANDER AROUND AND WATCH IT.
NOW HE'S NODDING OFF TO SLEEP.
Narrator: THE PRESENCE OF THE TAWNY OWL CHICK
SUPPORTS DAVID'S THEORY,
NOT JUST THAT AN ADULT TAWNY OWL HAS BEEN HUNTING HERE,
BUT THAT IT'S ALSO TAKEN UP RESIDENCE IN THE GARDEN.
IT'S REMARKABLY EARLY TO SEE A CHICK ALREADY OUT OF THE NEST.
Darrell-Lambert: AT THE END OF FEBRUARY,
YOU WOULD EXPECT IN LONDON
TO SEE ONLY THE VERY, VERY SMALL CHICKS,
VERY DOWNY ALL OVER.
TO HAVE FLIGHT FEATHERS, TAIL FEATHERS,
AND TO BE KNOCKING AROUND THE PLACE
IS QUITE EXTRAORDINARY.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT 2, MAYBE EVEN 3 WEEKS EARLIER
THAN THE OTHER BREEDING BIRDS IN CENTRAL LONDON.
WHEN YOU'RE DOING THESE SURVEYS,
YOU'RE COMING IN WEEK IN, WEEK OUT,
AND YOU OFTEN GET TO HEAR THE TAWNY OWL,
BUT TO SEE ONE IS SOMETHING REALLY NICE,
AND THEN TO HAVE A YOUNG ONE JUST SITTING BESIDE YOU,
SITTING OUT IN THE OPEN RIGHT NOW,
BOLD AS BRASS, HAVING A NICE SNOOZE IN THE SUNSHINE,
THAT'S ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. IT'S MAGICAL, REALLY NICE.
Narrator: THE TAWNY OWLET IS ONE OF THE FIRST SIGNS
THAT SPRING IS ON ITS WAY IN THE QUEEN'S GARDEN.
GREEN SHOOTS ARE SPROUTING.
THE GARDENING TEAM NOW HAS
THE MOST DEMANDING JOB OF THE YEAR...
PLANTING UP THE BEDS TO A ROYAL STANDARD.
THE OVERALL PLANS ARE APPROVED BY HER MAJESTY.
ALL THAT IS NEEDED NOW IS WARMTH TO GROW,
AND HERE THAT ARRIVES SOONER THAN EXPECTED.
THE URBAN JUNGLE THAT SURROUNDS THE PALACE GARDEN
RAISES TEMPERATURES AHEAD OF SCHEDULE,
A SORT OF GREENHOUSE EFFECT.
NEARLY A MONTH BEFORE THE REST OF ENGLAND,
LIFE IS BURSTING FROM THE SOIL WITH VIBRANT COLOR.
THE AIR IS FILLING WITH DELICATE PERFUMES.
THE CHERRY BLOSSOM ARRIVES.
AMONG THE SPRINGTIME BLOOMS THAT HAVE EMERGED HERE,
A FLOWER SPECIALLY BRED FOR THE QUEEN--
THE NARCISSUS DIAMOND JUBILEE,
A DAFFODIL CREATED IN 2012 TO MAKE THE ANNIVERSARY
OF HER ACCESSION TO THE THRONE 60 YEARS BEFORE...
AND A NEW RHODODENDRON HYBRID, LONDON CALLING,
CREATED FOR HER MAJESTY'S 70th BIRTHDAY.
EARLY SPRING, WHEN THE TREES ARE STILL BARE,
IS THE PERFECT TIME TO SEE THE LAYOUT OF THE GARDEN.
YOU CAN PICK OUT THE ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE...
AND THE SOUTH-FACING HERBACEOUS BORDER,
WHICH IN JUST A FEW MONTHS WILL BE AWASH WITH COLOR.
YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAWN,
WHICH HAS HOSTED MANY HEADS OF STATE AND AMBASSADORS
AND WHICH WILL BE THRONGED WITH PARTY GUESTS ONCE AGAIN
AS THE SEASONS OF THE GARDEN COME FULL CIRCLE.
IT'S LATE APRIL,
AND LEAVES ARE BEGINNING TO COVER THE TREES,
PROVIDING A GARDEN CANOPY.
THE WISTERIA ON THE ROSE GARDEN SUMMER HOUSE COMES INTO BLOSSOM.
THE GARDEN DOESN'T JUST LOOK DIFFERENT;
IT SOUNDS DIFFERENT, TOO.
[BIRDS CALLING]
THERE'S NEW LIFE, FROM BABY COOTS
TO EGYPTIAN GOSLINGS.
AND THERE ARE HATCHLINGS IN THE BIRD BOXES.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
THERE'S A ROYAL BABY BOOM.
THIS GARDEN HAS A LONG TRADITION OF BEING A NURSERY.
Newsreel announcer: IN NOVEMBER 1948,
PRINCE CHARLES WAS BORN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE.
ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS,
FIRST OF LINE OF SUCCESSION TO THE THRONE,
MAKES HIS DEBUT BEFORE THE CAMERAS.
HIS FATHER'S DELIGHT IN HIS YOUNG SON
IS PLAIN TO SEE.
Narrator: AS THE QUEEN'S FAMILY GREW,
THE GARDEN BECAME A PLAYGROUND FOR THE YOUNG ROYALTY
ON THEIR JOURNEY TO ADULTHOOD.
THROUGHOUT QUEEN ELIZABETH'S REIGN, ALL YOUNG CREATURES
GREAT AND SMALL HAVE BEEN GIVEN PROTECTION
BY THE PALACE.
IN THE 1970's, A FAMILY OF DUCKS WAS FAMOUSLY GIVEN
A POLICE ESCORT BETWEEN BUCKINGHAM PALACE LAKE
AND NEIGHBORING ST. JAMES' PARK.
40 YEARS LATER,
ANOTHER GENERATION ARE ABOUT TO SPREAD THEIR WINGS.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
SO THIS IS, LIKE, A VERY IMPORTANT MOMENT.
FIRST FLIGHT, BEING ABLE TO FLY PROPERLY.
THEIR FEATHERS HAVE TO BE IN IMMACULATE CONDITION
TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS,
AND THEY'VE BEEN EXERCISING IN THE NEST BOX AS WELL,
BECAUSE THEY'RE FLAPPING UP, AS YOU CAN SEE.
Narrator: ONE BY ONE,
THE FLEDGLINGS PLUCK UP THE COURAGE TO LEAVE.
Darrell-Lambert: A LOT OF THE TIME,
THE PARENTS KNOW THAT THEY'RE READY.
SO THEY'LL OFTEN TRY TO ENTICE THEM OUT, YOU KNOW,
BY APPEARING WITH FOOD AND THEN DISAPPEARING OFF
TO TRY AND GET THEM... ENCOURAGE THEM.
IT'S LIKE DANGLING THE CARROT.
Narrator: EVENTUALLY, THERE'S JUST ONE TIMID CHICK LEFT.
AWAY FROM THE NEST,
THE FLEDGLING BIRDS FACE DANGER.
ONE MAJOR THREAT-- A HERON
THAT HAS COME HERE WITH ONE INTENTION,
TO HUNT.
ON THE LAKE, A MOTHER DUCK TRIES TO CREATE A DIVERSION
TO GIVE HER DUCKLINGS A CHANCE TO HIDE UNDER THE WATER.
IT BUYS SOME TIME,
BUT THE MOTHER DUCK'S EFFORTS ARE NOT ENOUGH,
AND THE HERON GETS A BABY DUCKLING.
IT MIGHT LOOK RUTHLESS,
BUT HERONS HAVE THEIR OWN YOUNG TO FEED
AT THE HERONRY IN NEARBY REGENT'S PARK.
IT'S A MAY MORNING.
INSIDE THE WALLED GARDEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE,
QUIET BIRDSONG IS ALL THAT CAN BE HEARD...
[BIRDS CALLING]
UNTIL 9 A.M.
[BAGPIPES PLAYING]
IN A TRADITION DATING BACK TO QUEEN VICTORIA,
HER MAJESTY'S OFFICIAL PIPER PLAYS JUST OUTSIDE HER WINDOW
EVERY MORNING THAT SHE'S IN RESIDENCE.
MAGNIFICENT TENTS ARE APPEARING ON THE PALACE LAWN,
SIGNALING THAT A NEW SEASON OF GARDEN PARTIES
IS JUST A FEW WEEKS AWAY.
THE RACE IS ON FOR THE GARDENERS TO PUT
THE FINISHING TOUCHES TO A WHOLE YEAR OF WORK.
HER MAJESTY WILL BE CHECKING UP ON PREPARATIONS IN PERSON.
Bourne: THIS IS A KEY POINT OF THE YEAR FOR US.
DURING GARDEN PARTY BUILDUP, IT'S BUSY.
WE'VE GOT WORKMEN AND US RUNNING AROUND.
THERE'S ALWAYS AN ELEMENT OF STRESS AND EXCITEMENT.
WE DO A LOT OF PREPARATION WORK.
THERE'S MOWING TO BE DONE,
CLIPPING OF THE PATHS.
THERE'S 3 MILES OF PATHWAY TO CLEAN,
SO THAT'S 6 MILES OF CLIPPING TO DO.
THERE'S A FEW UNUSUAL ONES, LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE,
IS THE TREES ARE LIFTED
SO THAT GENTLEMEN WITH TOP HATS CAN WALK UNDERNEATH THEM
WITHOUT KNOCKING THE HAT OFF.
AND THEN LAST MINUTE ON THE DAY,
WE BLOW ALL THE LAWNS SO THAT IF A LADY HAS NEW SHOES
AND HAS A BLISTER ON HER FEET,
SHE CAN TAKE HER SHOES OFF AND WALK BAREFOOT IN THE GRASS.
Narrator: RUNNING ALONG THE NORTHERN PERIMETER OF THE GARDEN
IS THE SHOWPIECE FLORAL DISPLAY,
THE 500-FOOT-LONG HERBACEOUS BORDER.
IT'S TAKEN 6 MONTHS OF PATIENT WORK BY THE GARDENING TEAM
TO GET TO ITS SPECTACULAR PEAK,
A DAZZLING ARRAY OF EXOTIC AND NATIVE SHRUBS AND PERENNIALS...
JUST IN TIME FOR THE FIRST GUESTS.
Bourne: EVEN THOUGH IT'S SO STRESSFUL
AND THERE'S A LOT OF PRESSURE ON US,
WE ENJOY IT BECAUSE AT 2:30 ON A GARDEN PARTY DAY,
THE GARDEN IS LOOKING WONDERFUL,
IT'S LOOKING ESPECIALLY BEAUTIFUL,
AND IT'S SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF.
Narrator: PREPARATIONS DON'T END
WITH STUNNING FLOWERS AND SHRUBS.
NOTHING CAN BE LEFT TO CHANCE TODAY.
EVEN THE DEEPEST RECESSES OF THE GARDEN
MUST BE THOROUGHLY CHECKED.
AN UNWELCOME ODOR BUBBLING FROM THE LAKE
WOULD BE UNTHINKABLE.
SO FROGMEN ARE SOMETIMES BROUGHT IN
TO MAINTAIN THE PUMPS AND THE PIPES
TO ENSURE THAT THE WATER IS PROPERLY AERATED.
LET'S HAVE YOU OUT.
ON THE MORNING OF THE GARDEN PARTY,
HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH WILL SOMETIMES INSPECT
THE PREPARATIONS.
THE QUEEN HOSTS UP TO 5 PARTIES EVERY SUMMER...
AND HAS ATTENDED OVER 300.
THIS RARELY SEEN FOOTAGE
SHOWS A 9-YEAR-OLD PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WITH THE QUEEN MOTHER AT WHAT WAS PROBABLY
THE QUEEN'S FIRST GARDEN PARTY SOME 80 YEARS AGO.
HER HOST AT THE TIME WAS HER GRANDFATHER, KING GEORGE V.
HER MAJESTY MAKES A POINT OF THANKING THE STAFF IN PERSON.
IT'S A PROUD MOMENT FOR CLAIRE, STUART, AND THE TEAM.
VERY QUICKLY, YES.
THERE'S PERFECT GROWING CONDITIONS--
SUN AND RAIN.
Narrator: DUE RECOGNITION FOR A YEAR OF HARD GRAFT.
THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO LOOK AT.
WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
REALLY NICE THAT
SHE'S TAKEN AN INTEREST INTO OUR GARDEN WORK.
YEAH, IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO BE THANKED.
WE DO WORK HARD DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR,
AND IT'S JUST NICE TO KNOW IT'S WORTHWHILE IN THE END.
Worsley: ORIGINALLY, THE GARDEN PARTY
WAS A LOT MORE EXCLUSIVE THAN IT IS TODAY.
IT WAS REALLY ABOUT HAVING GOOD CONTACTS
IN THE ESTABLISHMENT.
Newsreel announcements: BUCKINGHAM PALACE GARDEN,
AND OUT OF THE PALACE ISSUE THE PRIVILEGED YOUNG LADIES
WHO ARE TO BE PRESENTED TODAY AT THE FIRST OF THE RECEPTIONS,
WHICH THIS YEAR ARE TO REPLACE THE FORMAL COURTS.
IF ONLY THE RAIN WILL KEEP--
Worsley: A GREAT COURT RITUAL OF THE PAST WAS, OF COURSE,
THE PRESENTATION OF THE DEBUTANTES,
AND HERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT YOUNG GIRLS
WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE ARISTOCRACY
REACHING MARRIAGEABLE AGE, AND THEN THEIR MOTHERS
BRING THEM TO COURT AND PRESENT THEM.
Newsreel announcer: THEN THE RAIN BEGINS TO DRIZZLE,
AND THE HEARTS OF THE AS-YET-UNPRESENTED SINK.
THE KING'S SIGNAL IS GIVEN TO SUSPEND THE FUNCTION,
AND FASHIONABLE LEGS MAKE A DASH FOR SHELTER,
A SAD END TO THE DEBUTANTES' BRIEF DAY.
[RAIN FALLING]
Narrator: TIMES HAVE MOVED ON,
BUT ONE THING NEVER CHANGES- THE BRITISH WEATHER.
THERE'S ALWAYS THE RISK THAT A DOWNPOUR
COULD SPOIL THE OCCASION,
BUT COME RAIN OR SHINE, WORK HAS TO GO ON.
NOT A BLADE OF GRASS CAN BE OUT OF PLACE.
GARDEN TABLES MUST BE PERFECTLY ALIGNED.
EVEN FLAGPOLES MUST BE WHITER THAN WHITE.
IT'S A SCENE THAT'S BEEN REPEATED EVERY SUMMER
FOR OVER ONE AND A HALF CENTURIES.
QUEEN VICTORIA WAS A GREAT FAN
OF GARDEN BREAKFASTS, AS SHE CALLED THEM--
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ON THE LAWN,
AND SHE COULD TRAVEL AMONGST THEM IN HER CARRIAGE,
GOING SLOWLY ALONG AND SAYING HELLO TO EVERYBODY.
THERE'S ACTUALLY QUITE A LOT OF CONTINUITY
BETWEEN QUEEN VICTORIA'S GARDEN PARTIES
AND WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THIS AFTERNOON.
THERE WILL BE THE BANDS PLAYING,
THE SAME CUCUMBER SANDWICHES BEING SERVED IN THE TEA TENT,
WHICH IS IN THE SAME PLACE ACTUALLY,
AND THE ATMOSPHERE WILL BE SIMILAR.
PEOPLE WILL BE IN THEIR BEST CLOTHES.
THEY WILL BE EXCITED.
MESSAGE TO ALL GARDENERS, GATES OPEN IN 15 MINUTES.
START HEADING BACK TO THE YARD. OVER.
Narrator: OVER THE 5 PARTIES OF THE SUMMER,
UP TO 30,000 GUESTS, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES,
ENTERTAINERS, CIVIL SERVANTS, AND CHARITY WORKERS
WILL THRONG THE GARDEN.
Woman: THE GARDEN IS ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS.
I'LL REMEMBER THIS FOR A REALLY LONG TIME.
I MEAN, YOU CAN'T FORGET THIS DAY
BECAUSE THE QUEEN IS SOMETHING YOU SIMPLY CAN'T.
THIS IS CENTRAL LONDON.
THE PLANES ARE ROARING OVERHEAD,
BUT WE'RE IN THIS WONDERFUL OASIS HERE.
STUNNINGLY WELL ORGANIZED.
YES. BRILLIANT.
IT REALLY IS EXCELLENT, YES.
THE GARDENERS CAN COME AND DO OURS ANYTIME.
[BAND PLAYING]
Narrator: IT'S 3:40, AND THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD
MAKE THEIR ENTRANCE.
IT'S A SIGNAL THAT IN JUST 20 MINUTES,
HER MAJESTY WILL ARRIVE.
TODAY'S EVENT IS ORGANIZED, LIKE ALL PALACE FUNCTIONS,
BY THE MASTER OF THE HOUSEHOLD, VICE ADMIRAL TONY JOHNSTON-BIRT.
Johnston-Birt: THE GARDEN PARTY IS, WITHOUT ANY DOUBT,
ONE OF THE JEWELS IN HER MAJESTY'S CROWN.
THERE ARE 400 PEOPLE ACTUALLY ON THE GROUND
DELIVERING AT SUCH A SPECIAL EVENT.
IT TAKES 6 MONTHS PLANNING
TO PUT ALL THIS TOGETHER. IT'S INCREDIBLE.
AND THE AIM, HER MAJESTY HAS MADE IT VERY CLEAR TO US,
IS TO MAKE IT AS SPECIAL A DAY AS POSSIBLE
FOR A WHOLE CROSS-SECTION OF THE BRITISH SOCIETY,
AND IF WE CAN MAKE THEM ALL LEAVE, YOU KNOW,
2 OR 3 FEET OFF THE GROUND WITH JOY,
THEN WE'VE SUCCEEDED FOR THE DAY.
Narrator: IT'S 10 MINUTES TO 4:00.
THE EXCITEMENT IS PALPABLE.
IT'S A BIG GARDEN.
Narrator: THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD AND THE GENTLEMEN USHERS
BEGIN POLITELY ARRANGING THE GUESTS.
THEY CREATE LANES DOWN WHICH THE ROYAL FAMILY WILL WALK,
GREETING THEIR GUESTS ON THEIR WAY TO THE ROYAL TEA TENT.
FINALLY, IT'S 4:00.
[DRUM ROLL PLAYING]
[BAND PLAYING "GOD SAVE THE QUEEN"]
ALL EYES ARE ON QUEEN ELIZABETH FOR THIS MAJESTIC MOMENT.
SOON SHE MAKES HER WAY ONTO THE LAWN
TO MINGLE WITH HER GUESTS.
SHE'S ALWAYS PREPARED FOR EVERY EVENTUALITY.
THE YEAR IN HER MAJESTY'S GARDEN HAS COME FULL-CIRCLE.
FOR CENTURIES, THIS GARDEN HAS PLAYED A UNIQUE ROLE
IN THE STORY OF THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY.
AND QUEEN ELIZABETH HERSELF HAS DONE PERHAPS MORE
THAN ANY OTHER MONARCH TO PRESERVE ITS CHARACTER,
CREATING A REFUGE FOR WILDLIFE AND AN OASIS OF BEAUTY
IN THE HEART OF EUROPE'S BIGGEST CITY.
Announcer: "THE QUEEN'S GARDEN" IS AVAILABLE ON DVD.
TO ORDER, VISIT SHOPPBS.ORG
OR CALL 1-800-PLAY-PBS.
Announcer: "THE QUEEN'S GARDEN" WAS MADE POSSIBLE
IN PART BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM...