Not as fond of sailing as George V, Queen Mary visited her friends, General Jack and Evelyn Seely at both Brooke House and later Mottistone Manor, during Cowes Week. She planted trees in the grounds and there is a memorable description of her having been stung by a bee while taking tea in the garden of Brooke House.

Daisy Newbery worked in the gardens of Brooke House for thirty years and remembered: Once, when I was working, General Seely brought Queen Mary around and introduced me to her. The Queen was very kind and asked how my shoulder was (it had been giving some trouble).

The first bunches of the famous and abundant black Hamburg and Muscat of Alexandria grapes planted by Mr Tribbick and looked after by Daisy in the Brooke House vinery were sent annually to Buckingham Palace.