Queenmobile: Her Royal Highness uses chauffeur-driven buggy to visit Chelsea Flower Show

The Queen has toured Chelsea Flower Show in a chauffeur-driven buggy, opting to use the mode of transport at the event for the first time for her comfort.

The 96-year-old monarch, who has mobility problems, adapted her traditional visit to see the floral and gardening extravaganza on Monday - the day before it opens to the public

She was touring about 10 gardens, but this time was transported around the vast site in the vehicle, driven by a chauffeur in a peaked cap.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “Adjustments have been made for the Queen’s comfort.”

It is the first time in nearly a decade that the monarch is believed to have used a buggy at an official engagement.

The Queen was seen in a golf buggy nine years ago in 2013 during the Coronation Festival in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.

She also used one during a tour to Australia in 2011, when she visited Government House in Canberra.

Joe Little, of Majesty magazine, said of the development: “It’s an extremely practical arrangement that will allow the Queen to take part in as many engagements as she is able to do.”

The move follows in the footsteps of the Queen Mother, who toured the grounds of the Chelsea Flower Show in 2001 in what was nicknamed the Queen Mum Mobile - a bespoke golf cart painted in her light blue and gold candy-stripe racing colours.

The Queen, who confessed during an audience in February to not being able to move, is just 10 days away from the start of her high profile Jubilee celebrations.

She made a surprise appearance at the opening of the Elizabeth line last week and went to the Royal Windsor Horse Show and the Gallop Through History equestrian event this month, but missed the State Opening of Parliament.

The Palace said last week that the Queen was hoping to be able to visit Chelsea, and she arrived just after 5.40pm, dressed in a vibrant pink outfit, smiling as she sat in the open-sided vehicle.

Other members of the royal family - the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Princess Beatrice, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra - are also touring the show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.