Happy horticulturists joined in on some of their own royal fun – as they stripped off for World Naked Gardening Day.
The annual event promoting “body acceptance and our relation to the natural environment” this year fell on the same day as the Coronation.
Numerous gardeners across the UK merged their festivities for King Charles III’s special day, as they shared daring photos of their escapades on the internet.
The day encourages people to get outdoors and tend to their gardens while wearing absolutely no clothing. It was first observed in 2005 and has since gained popularity worldwide.
Mother-of-three Annette Alexander, of Colchester, Essex, held a pot plant as she posed nude in her garden apart from Union Jack flags draped across her body.
She posted her racy snaps under the hashtags ‘#23WNGD #23bodypositivity #23coronation’ with one online admirer simply responding: ‘Nice bunting’.
Leeds United fan Mark Smith, 49, of Pontefract, West Yorkshire, was naked apart from a Union Jack bow tie and matching hat covering his crown jewels as he held a garden fork.
He said: ‘Splendid day for a coronation and for #23worldnakedgardeningday to help promote body positivity.’
A male friend quipped back: ‘I don’t know why but I expected a bigger hat…’
Mother-of-one Abi Garvey, of Hagley, Worcestershire, posed at her allotment to show off her ‘beautiful lumps and bumps’, adding: ‘It’s Coronation day! Hip, Hip, Hooray.’
Participants are encouraged to be creative and have fun with the event, while also being mindful of their surroundings and respecting the privacy of others.
Paul Battey, 37, of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, clutched a shrub to protect his modesty. He said: ‘I knew there was something special going on today!’
‘I’ll be giving my bush a trim later in preparation for the Coronation Street party. Keep smiling everyone.’
Dozens of ballsy Brits took part in the event – in its 19th year – variously relying on large leaves, flowerpots, watering cans and other gardening accessories to spare their blushes.
But a few took a swipe at the cost of the Coronation as they posted their saucy snaps during the lavish ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Leigh Knott, who posed nude holding a watering can, wrote: ‘The very idea of a coronation is nonsense in the 21st century, outdated and outrageously expensive. #23NHS #23teachers’
The first Saturday in May has become a day when anyone popping their head over the neighbour’s fence for a quick chat could see more than they bargained for.
On their website, organisers urged people to ‘tend their portion of the world’s garden unclothed as nature intended.’
They said: ‘Why garden naked? First of all, it’s fun!
‘Second only to swimming, gardening is at the top of the list of family-friendly activities people are most ready to consider doing nude.
‘Moreover, our culture needs to move toward a healthy sense of both body acceptance and our relation to the natural environment.’
‘Gardening naked is not only a simple joy, it reminds us – even if only for those few sun-kissed minutes – that we can be honest with who we are as humans and as part of this planet.
‘Events like WNGD can help develop a sense of community among people of every stripe. ‘Taking part in something that is bigger than any one household, naturist group, or gardening club can move gardeners with an au naturel joie de vivre toward becoming a community.’
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