The garden is "hidden away from the hustle and bustle of city life"

The John Madejski Garden was officially opened by Prince Charles on Tuesday afternoon in front of 800 guests.

The Italian-style gardens in the museum's central courtyard have been designed by Kim Wilkie and took two years to complete.

The prince, a keen gardener, told the crowd that opening new gardens was one of his favourite duties.

'Ghastly weather'

He said: "One of the most enjoyable things I find is inaugurating a new garden and this evening could not possibly be better, except for the ghastly weather.

"But as far as I am concerned I have enjoyed enormously seeing what has been done to transform this courtyard."

The prince added: "I only wish my great, great, great grandfather Prince Albert could see what a remarkable contribution this museum has made to national life."

Charles chatted with guests including broadcaster Sir David Frost, designer Sir Terence Conran and disgraced Tory peer Sir Jeffrey Archer.

Lemon trees

Kim Wilkie said he had used plants which flower at different times of the year to ensure the garden bloomed all year round.

Glass planters containing lemon trees in summer and holly trees in winter are lined up along the outside of the garden.

Mr Wilkie said: "I designed it to be somewhere Londoners can come and sit with their feet in the water or lie on the grass and just feel it is a tranquil, relaxing space."

Benefactor John Madejski said: "The garden at the V&A is one of London's secret spaces, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of city life."