What are the RHS Royal Signature paintings?

The RHS Royal Signatures are a collection of botanical artworks, each of which has been signed by a royal patron or an honorary member of the Royal Horticultural Society. The tradition stretches back to 1816, when Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III, became the Society’s first royal patron. The collection now comprises over 40 artworks and includes the signatures of several British kings and queens, as well as the signatures of the members of other European royal families.

William Hooker, Signature of Queen Charlotte, 1816. A/RoySig/1

How are the Royal Signature artworks made?

The paintings use watercolour on paper or vellum, and in many cases include flowers and plants that have an association with the patron’s family, country, or horticultural interests. The signature is added by the patron once the rest of the painting has been completed and is usually added at the centre of the painting. If the patron is a crowned ruler, then the signature will feature a crown or royal coat of arms. A wide variety of styles have been employed over the years.

Augusta Withers, Signature of King William IV, 1827. A/RoySig/17

Who paints the Royal Signature artworks?

Thanks to Society records we know the names of different artists who have painted signatures, including William Hooker, Augusta Withers and Lilian Snelling. The artists behind eight further signatures have not yet been identified. The current signature painting artist is Gillian Barlow, who has painted three signature artworks to date. She is a highly respected botanical artist and the Chair of Judges on the RHS Picture Panel, which awards artists medals at the RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show every year. She has also worked on both the Highgrove Florilegium and the Transylvania Florilegium for King Charles III.

Highlights of the Royal Signature collection

In 1825 the then Crown Prince of Prussia, Frederick William, became a Fellow of the Horticultural Society. A romanticist at heart, William was deeply interested in architecture and gardening, commissioning and contributing to the design of the Orangery Palace and its gardens in the Sanssouci Park in Potsdam.

William Clark, Signature of King Frederick William IV of Prussia (then Prince Royal). A/RoySig/16

Queen Victoria agreed to become patron of the Horticultural Society shortly after her ascent to the throne in 1837. Her signature painting features a giant water lily, then only recently introduced to Britain from Guyana (then British Guiana). John Lindley, the Society’s Vice-Secretary, renamed the lily Victoria regia (now Victoria amazonica) in honour of the new queen.

Sarah Anne Drake, Signature of Queen Victoria, 1837. A/RoySig/18

The signature of the Egyptian ruler, Mohammed Sa’id, is the only signature in the collection to feature a non-European ruler. It was painted by an unknown artist in 1862, when Britain was keen to foster close diplomatic relations with Egypt. The African nation had emerged as an important source of cotton for Britain, while imports from across the Atlantic were being disrupted by the American Civil War. Of equal strategic importance to Britain at this time was the construction of the Suez Canal in Egypt.

Unknown artist, Signature of Mohammed Sa’id, Viceroy of Egypt, 1862. A/RoySig/28

The late Queen Elizabeth II is the only royal patron to have signed three signature paintings, commemorating her coronation in 1953, diamond jubilee in 2012, and platinum jubilee in 2022. She was the longest-serving patron of the RHS, holding the role for 70 years.

Gillian Barlow, Signature of the late Queen Elizabeth II, Platinum Jubilee, 2022. A/RoySig/42

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The RHS Royal Signature paintings collection