“Thank you mum, ever so much!”

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth has presented her son Prince Charles with a prestigious gardening award.

The 60-year-old prince attended a preview of the Chelsea Flower Show, where he was presented with the Royal Horticultural Society Victoria Medal of Honour in recognition of his passion for plants, gardening and the environment.

Charles – who attended with his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall – was awarded the honour by his mother, who is also Patron of the society. Giles Coode-Adams, President of the RHS said: “The work that the Prince of Wales does to promote and contribute to good gardening practices and the cultivation of plants, sustainable gardening and the environment are core to the RHS.”

Charles has become the second member of the royal family to receive the award and join the prestigious body of 63 horticulturalists. The honour – which was founded to commemorate the reign of Queen Victoria – was previously presented to the Queen Mother in 1961. In 2002 Charles’ Healing Garden – a collection of medicinal herbs dedicated to his late grandmother – received a Silver Flora award, as did his 2001 Islamic Garden.

The royal heir – who is often teased for talking to his flowers – has dedicated over two decades to his own gardens at Highgrove, in Gloucester, south west England.