Tree Planted in Royal Garden to Commemorate International Year of the Nurse and Midwife

Community nursing charity The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) has arranged for the planting of a magnificent Foxglove Tree in Frogmore Gardens, part of the Windsor Castle estate.

The tree was given as a gift to the charity’s Patron, Her Majesty the Queen, to commemorate the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife in 2020.

The gardens at Frogmore were due to open for the National Garden Scheme today, 26th May, but the opening has been cancelled due to the current pandemic.

In recent years, Queen’s Nurses have gathered at Frogmore for the annual garden opening and it is hoped that they will be able to see the tree when the garden is able to open again.

Dr Crystal Oldman CBE, Chief Executive of the QNI commented, “I am delighted that we have been able to commemorate the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife with this symbolic tree in Her Majesty’s garden at Frogmore and I hope that in future years, Queen’s Nurses will be able to gather there and reflect on the proud heritage of the nursing profession and our unique relationships with the Royal Family and the National Garden Scheme.”

Heather Skinner, Berkshire County Organiser of the National Garden Scheme commented, “Everyone in the National Garden Scheme is very proud that our charity was set up over 90 years ago to raise funds for the Queen’s Nursing Institute.  We were all looking forward to seeing the lovely Foxglove Tree that has been planted in the royal garden at Frogmore House and celebrating the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife with you today – hopefully, we will be able to do so on a future occasion.

She added, “Now more than ever we send our huge thanks to all Queen’s Nurses for the amazing work you do in the front line of community nursing – please know that we really, really appreciate it.”

Notes to Editors

The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) was founded in 1887 with Queen Victoria as the charity’s first Patron. Her Majesty the Queen succeeded HM the Queen Mother as Patron of the charity in 2001.

Frogmore Gardens are traditionally opened by the Queen for the National Garden Scheme each year, raising funds for nursing and caring charities including the QNI. Donations to the National Garden Scheme can be made using JustGiving.

The Foxglove Tree, Latin name Paulownia tomentosa, was named after Anna Pavlovna, daughter of Czar Paul I and wife of Prince Willem of the Netherlands.