If you swoon over all things floral even half as much as we do, then get a soft cushion at the ready, because our our run-through of the most beautiful royal bouquets in history is the stuff that flowery dreams are made of.
From Her Maj’s coronation to Windsor weddings galore, beautiful blooms have always been a must for any celebratory regal occasion.
Nobody does flowers better that the Buckingham Palace brigade, so let’s gaze in wonder at their most dazzling displays of floral splendour to date.
Queen Victoria’s wedding bouquet
Tradition dictates that every royal wedding bouquet must feature a sprig of myrtle picked from Queen Victoria’s garden at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.
This is because the 19th-century monarch carried this aromatic herb with little white flowers, meaning good luck and love in marriage, in her wedding to Prince Albert on 10 February 1840.
Following the ceremony, she planted the myrtle shrub from which every British royal bride since has plucked a sprig (or their florist has, anyway!), using a cutting from her own bouquet.
Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding bouquet
The then Princess Elizabeth wed Philip Mountbatten, the future Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947, but her bouquet of white orchids went missing moments after the service, forcing her poor florist to whip up a replica for use in the newlyweds’ photos!
Orchids were a status symbol in Victorian times as they could only be found in the tropics. They now also carry meanings of strength and power, making them an appropriate choice for a queen.
Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation bouquet
When our current monarch took to the throne way back on 2 June 1953, she did so armed with a suitably stunning spray. It featured her favourite flower, English lily of the valley, which symbolises trustworthiness, alongside Welsh orchids, Northern Irish carnations and Scottish stephanotis. This was truly a Great British affair.
Princess Diana’s wedding bouquet
The ‘People’s Princess’ is arguably the most iconic royal bride, and not only thanks to that dress. When Diana Spencer married Prince Charles at St Paul’s Cathedral on 29 July 1981, she did so clutching a cascading bouquet of white orchids, roses, freesia, gardenias, lily of the valley, veronica, trascescantia and ivy – phew!
Sophie Rhys-Jones paid homage to Diana, who had died two years earlier, by choosing a similar bouquet for her Windsor Castle marriage to Prince Edward on 16 June 1999.
Camilla Parker Bowles’ wedding bouquet
The future Duchess of Cornwall kept things stylishly subtle when she married Prince Charles on 9 April 2005, plumping for a posy of white, yellow and lavender primroses, plus her new mother-in-law’s favourite lily of the valley.
Rumour has it that the heir to the throne’s second wife was sent her bouquet by a royal fan from Cornwall!
Kate Middleton’s wedding bouquet
When Kate Middleton married Prince William in Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011, she adorably included white Sweet William, formally known as dianthus barbatus and representing gallantry, in tribute to her husband-to-be.
The future Duchess of Cambridge also nodded to her new grandmother-in-law with lily of the valley and featured the traditional sprig of myrtle. Ivy and hyacinths added texture and sweet scent to this masterclass of understated elegance.
Meghan Markle’s wedding bouquet
LA actress and lifestyle blogger Meghan Markle also opted for an all-white bouquet for her Windsor Castle nuptials to Prince Harry on 19 May 2018. Lily of the valley cropped up again, along with astrantia, astilbe, jasmine and sweet peas.
Poignantly, Harry also picked some forget-me-nots, symbolising true love and respect, from the couple’s Frogmore Cottage garden. The delicate flowers were a favourite of his late mother, Princess Diana, who tragically died in a car crash when he was just 12-years-old.
Princess Eugenie’s wedding bouquet
Donning a show-stopping emerald tiara, the Queen’s granddaughter headed to the altar to marry wine merchant Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle on 12 October 2018. Her timeless spray featured white roses, blue thistles and lily of the valley, along with trailing ivy in a nod to Ivy Cottage, their then home in the grounds of Kensington Palace.
Lady Gabriella Windsor’s wedding bouquet
Lady Gabrella Windsor married Thomas Kingston at Windsor Castle on 18 May 2019. included the ivory ‘Ella’ rose by revered rose breeder David Austin, who had named it after her. Juliet roses, white and peach sweet peas and lily of the valley also featured in this sweet spring-time display.
Princess Beatrice’s wedding bouquet
Eugenie’s elder sister married property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on 17 July 2020, in the midst of Covid-19 restrictions. Their private micro wedding took place at Royal Lodge in Windsor, where her parents live, with her romantic blush pink and cream bouquet of roses, sweet peas, jasmine, wax flower and astilbe playing a starring role.
From white roses to pink peonies, you’re guaranteed to find a bouquet fit for a princess in our stunning range of flowers. Order today and make your loved one feel like a queen.
