In spring 2009 two Italian honey bee (Apis mellifera ligustica) hives were introduced to the garden at Buckingham Palace. It is hoped that the new hives will help with the conservation of bees following the decline in the pollinators’ numbers.

The hives have been positioned on an island which is in the middle of the garden’s 3.5 acre lake. The island accounts for a part of the 5 acres of uncultivated areas in the garden and it is covered in wildflowers, grasses and decomposing logs. It is an excellent location for the bees as they have immediate access to over 350 varieties of wildflowers and 600 plants to harvest from both on the island and the main garden. Due to the hives’ secluded position, the bees’ island home is undisturbed by visitors to the garden as it is not accessible to the public during Garden Parties and Garden Tours. Even the Royal Gardeners have few reasons to visit the island as there is no formal bedding to tend and the maintenance of the area is minimal.

The bee hives are looked after by a bee keeper from the London Beekeepers Association and a specially trained Royal Gardener. After the first year in the Palace garden the two hives produced 83 jars of honey. In spring 2010, two more hives were added on the island.