The Queen's funeral wreath includes a poignant connection to the Queen's late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. Today she began her journey to her final resting place, with her state funeral taking place later today.
A wreath of flowers accompanied the Queen, that was draped over the late monarch’s coffin. It included a sprig of flowers from her wedding to her late husband, who she shared more than 73 years of marriage with. It has been made completely sustainable, on request of the King and will be buried with her at Windsor.
Cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove House, the flowers and foliage have been chosen for their symbolism.
They include rosemary, for remembrance, and myrtle cut from a plant which was grown from a sprig of myrtle in the Queen’s wedding bouquet. Myrtle is an ancient symbol of a happy marriage.
Also included are English oak to symbolise the strength of love, pelargoniums, garden roses, autumnal hydrangea, sedum, dahlias and scabious.
These are in shades of gold, pink and deep burgundy, with touches of white, to reflect the Royal Standard.
For the latest updates as the Queen's state funeral begins, follow our live blog.
As she left Balmoral, a wreath of flowers accompanied her, made up from flowers from the Balmoral estate including sweet peas – one of the Queen's favourite flowers – dahlias, phlox, white heather and pine fir.
Many of those blooms held a special significance in tribute to her relationship with Prince Philip. Dahlia flowers symbolise a lasting bond and lifelong commitment between two people, while sweet peas are associated with the ideas of departures and goodbyes.
Notably they are also the birth flower of April, the Queen's birth month. During the Victorian era, wearing fragrant phlox demonstrated a wish for sweet dreams, while white heather symbolises protection or good luck.
At Prince Philip's funeral, The Queen personally selected the flowers that adorned her late husband's coffin.
The funeral wreath included white lilies, small white roses, white freesia, white wax flower, white sweet peas and jasmine.
In bright sunshine, the hearse carrying the late monarch passed through the gates of the royal residence which was her 'favourite place in the world'.
The Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence were part of the procession travelling in a limousine directly behind the late Queen.
By 9:15am, all public viewing areas for the Queen’s funeral procession were full, London’s City Hall said.
The royal family will walk in procession behind the Queen’s coffin as it is carried through the church by the military bearer party.
The King and the Queen Consort will walk immediately behind the coffin, followed by the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Future king George, aged nine, and Charlotte, aged seven, will walk with their parents side-by-side in formation, followed by their uncle and aunt the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and other members of the royal family.
It is the first time that the pair will use their new titles in public - Prince George of Wales, and Princess Charlotte of Wales. It is thought the pair are the youngest royals to take part in a royal funeral procession
The service follows the Queen’s lying in state period at Westminster Hall, which ended at 6.30am.
Chrissy Heerey, who was the last member of the public to leave the Hall, said: “It’s one of the highlights of my life and I feel very privileged to be here.”
The Queen’s coffin will be taken in a grand military procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey for the funeral at 11am.
The wreath has been made completely sustainable, on request of the King and will be buried with her at Windsor.
As she left Balmoral, a wreath of flowers accompanied her, made up from flowers from the Balmoral estate including sweet peas – one of the Queen's favourite flowers – dahlias, phlox, white heather and pine fir.
For the latest updates as the Queen's state funeral begins, follow our live blog.
Many of those blooms held a special significance in tribute to her relationship with Prince Philip. Dahlia flowers symbolise a lasting bond and lifelong commitment between two people, while sweet peas are associated with the ideas of departures and goodbyes.
Notably they are also the birth flower of April, the Queen's birth month. During the Victorian era, wearing fragrant phlox demonstrated a wish for sweet dreams, while white heather symbolises protection or good luck.
At Prince Philip's funeral, The Queen personally selected the flowers that adorned her late husband's coffin.
The funeral wreath included white lilies, small white roses, white freesia, white wax flower, white sweet peas and jasmine.
In bright sunshine, the hearse carrying the late monarch passed through the gates of the royal residence which was her 'favourite place in the world'.
The Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence were part of the procession travelling in a limousine directly behind the late Queen.
By 9:15am, all public viewing areas for the Queen’s funeral procession were full, London’s City Hall said.
The royal family will walk in procession behind the Queen’s coffin as it is carried through the church by the military bearer party.
The King and the Queen Consort will walk immediately behind the coffin, followed by the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Future king George, aged nine, and Charlotte, aged seven, will walk with their parents side-by-side in formation, followed by their uncle and aunt the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and other members of the royal family.
It is the first time that the pair will use their new titles in public - Prince George of Wales, and Princess Charlotte of Wales. It is thought the pair are the youngest royals to take part in a royal funeral procession
The service follows the Queen’s lying in state period at Westminster Hall, which ended at 6.30am.
Chrissy Heerey, who was the last member of the public to leave the Hall, said: “It’s one of the highlights of my life and I feel very privileged to be here.”
The Queen’s coffin will be taken in a grand military procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey for the funeral at 11am.
