The joint-owner of a Haslemere business which has been given the Royal Warrant has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

Sheen Botanical Labels – which is based on College Hill – had its Royal Warrant extended until 2026 earlier this year.

The business supplies bespoke engraved labelling, its Sheen plant label systems and the Kew-developed tree fixings to a wide range of clients.

And joint-owner Christopher Ashton-Jones, who runs the business with his wife Carmen, has paid a special tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

Christopher said: “Carmen and I acquired our business, Sheen Botanical Labels, just over 20 years ago and established it in the centre of Haslemere – not far from where we live.

“Three months after its acquisition, we were greatly honoured to be granted the Royal Warrant of Appointment from Her Majesty the Queen.

“With this special connection, it was especially sad for us to hear Her Majesty had died.

“Our Royal Appointment gave us the privilege of meeting the Queen on a number of occasions – garden parties at Buckingham Palace and receptions at Windsor Castle.

“The first occasion we met the Queen was at Chelsea Flower Show, at which we had an exhibition stand in the Main Avenue.

“It was in 2006, just after the Queen’s 80th birthday.

“That year, I was president of the Windsor and Eton Royal Warrant Holders’ Association, one of the five local associations and, through a connection with the Royal Household, managed to organise for Her Majesty to go ‘off route’ and visit our stand.

“We had decorated it in red, white and blue flowers and also had a very rare tree, only discovered in 1996 in Australia, also being exhibited by us.

“We had a long conversation with Her Majesty about plants and trees, about which she had a great knowledge, and especially this Wollemi Pine, which traced its beginning back to the time of the dinosaurs. It was a huge privilege to have had this lovely private conversation.

“We happened to meet the Queen ten years later, just after her 90th birthday at Windsor Castle, reminded her of our Chelsea stand and she responded by asking after the rare ‘ragged tree’ we had shown her.

“After ten years, she still remembered what it was.

“Carmen and I, like the many other Royal Warrant holders, treasure the special relationship we have been privileged to enjoy with the Queen and are particularly sad it has now come to an end.

“We do have such wonderful memories, though.

“We send our deepest sympathy to all the members of the royal family at their loss at this time and send loyal greetings to King Charles III.”