A Royal Floral Tribute
The late Queen Elizabeth II was as fond of flowers as she was of her beloved corgis. Little wonder that atop her coffin, as well as the glittering crown jewels, was a beautiful floral arrangement which had been chosen carefully by her son, the new King, Charles III.
Poignantly, the wreath features blooms taken from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove House — each with symbolic meanings. According to The Palace, the flowers included rosemary, for remembrance, and myrtle — an ancient symbol of a happy marriage – which was cut from a plant grown from a sprig that was originally included in the Queen’s wedding bouquet in 1947.
English oak also featured, representing the strength of love, while pelargoniums, garden roses, autumnal hydrangea, sedum, dahlias and scabious were also added in shades of gold, pink, deep burgundy and white, to reflect the Royal Standard.
Amongst the foliage was a handwritten note on King Charles’ personal stationary, which read: “In loving and devoted memory, Charles R.”