Three trees planted at Gloucester Cathedral to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III

Tuesday 14 November 2023 is the 75th birthday of His Majesty King Charles III, so it was a fitting moment to plant three cherry trees at Gloucester Cathedral to celebrate His Majesty’s Coronation. This forms part of the legacy of the Queen’s Green Canopy, a unique tree-planting initiative created to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. Since then, over three million trees have been planted across the nation, serving as a remarkable, lasting tribute to the life and service of Her late Majesty.

Each of the 98 Lieutenancies in the UK have been awarded a grant to plant a tree or trees, as well as to install a plaque to commemorate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on 6 May 2023. Members of the Gloucestershire Lieutenancy, which includes South Gloucestershire, identified Gloucester Cathedral as an ideal location for these trees to be planted, given the Cathedral’s role at the heart of the city, county and diocese.

 The planting ceremony took place on Cathedral Green – the former car park that was transformed into a green space as part of Project Pilgrim - earlier today, and was attended by Edward Gillespie OBE, Lord-Lieutenant, and The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester, accompanied by Deputy Lieutenants and members of the Cathedral team. The trees are a combination of ‘Chocolate Ice’ and ‘Fragrant Cloud’, chosen for their beautiful blossom which will look its most spectacular every May to coincide with the anniversary of the Coronation. They were kindly supplied by Gloucestershire’s Gotherington Nurseries.

Edward Gillespie OBE, Lord-Lieutenant, said:

“It is an immense honour for the Gloucestershire Lieutenancy to plant these trees at the Cathedral on the 75th birthday of King Charles III to commemorate His Majesty’s Coronation. We are grateful to Dean Andrew and to the Queen’s Green Canopy.   The QGC had a tremendously positive impact on the UK’s landscape.  Across our Lieutenancy, thousands of trees were planted, creating a sustainable, living legacy marking Queen Elizabeth's 70-year reign.”

The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester, added:

“We are delighted that Gloucestershire Lieutenancy chose Gloucester Cathedral as the location to plant these wonderful trees, and I very much enjoyed being part of the planting ceremony on the day of His Majesty The King’s birthday. The trees are the perfect addition to Cathedral Green, and we hope our visitors will enjoy their stunning blossom every spring for years to come. It is a fitting tribute to His Majesty King Charles III, as well as to the life of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”

ENDS

EDITORS NOTES

About Gloucester Cathedral:

Gloucester Cathedral is a glorious sacred space in the heart of Gloucester, with a history that can be traced back to 679AD. It is the mother church of the Diocese of Gloucester and welcomes around 400,000 visitors every year. The Cathedral is open daily, with entry by donation, and hosts a packed and varied programme of services and events throughout the year.

About Gloucestershire Lieutenancy:

The Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants are His Majesty’s representative in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire, fulfilling a range of civic and ceremonial duties which bring together voluntary services, business and cultural life.   The Lieutenancy spearheaded tree planting during the Queen’s Green Canopy year which included an award of QGC Ancient Woodland status for Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s Lower Woods in Wickwar and two Gloucestershire trees were designated as QGC Ancient Trees.  They are the yew framing the north door at St Edward’s Church in Stow-on-the-Wold, which is said to have inspired J R Tolkien and an oriental plane at Colesbourne Park Arboretum, which started life as a cutting taken from a Chinese emperor’s tomb in 1901.  Gloucestershire was also gifted three trees from the QGC ‘Tree of Trees’ sculpture which stood outside Buckingham Palace during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.  These were planted at Chipping Campden Cricket Club, the Girlguiding Gloucestershire Activity Centre at Cowley and Hillfield Gardens in Gloucester.  Scores of individuals and organisations planted thousands of trees throughout the Lieutenancy during the Platinum Jubilee year.

For more press information contact:

Ellie Fells

Marketing & Communications Manager at Gloucester Cathedral

Ellie.fells@gloucestercathedral.org.uk