The Countess of Wessex officially opened Hampton Court Palace’s kitchen garden last week.

Sophie, Prince Edward’s wife, was invited to the garden on Wednesday, June 25, as Historic Royal Palaces celebrated the restoration of its royal garden.

It recreates the gardens that would have provided a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruits that fed the royals during the Georgian era.

Visitors can learn about the unique history of food production at the palace, while displays will demonstrate methods used to provide food sources for kings and queens.

The kitchen garden is free to visit.