'Regal' was derived from seeds arising from the crossing of the Dutch hybrid clones 'Commelin' and '215' (Ulmus pumila × 'Hoersholmiensis') sent in 1960 by Hans M. Heybroek of the Dorschkamp Research Institute for Forestry & Landscape Planning, Wageningen, Netherlands.

'Regal' has a strong central leader bestowing an upright columnar form similar to 'Commelin', making it particularly suitable for street planting.

The tree's foliage was adjudged 'resistant' to Black Spot by the Plant Diagnostic Clinic of the University of Missouri [3].

It has enjoyed modest success in Germany as a street tree [6] [7], but remains uncommon in the UK, where it was introduced by the Conservation Foundation and marketed for a few years by Crowder's Nursery, near Lincoln.

The UK TROBI champion is at Abbey Park, Leicester, measuring 14 m high, 26 cm d.b.h.