Today, Queen Elizabeth II's coffin will make its final journey from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey and then Windsor Castle, for her state funeral and committal service, before she is laid to rest at St George's Chapel.
The coffin — which made its way through Scotland and Edinburgh before heading to Buckingham Palace a final time — has been adorned with multiple floral tributes since her death on 8 September. And as with everything that Queen Elizabeth II said, did and wore, every detail of her funeral arrangements has been carefully considered – even down to the precise flowers chosen.
Ahead, we track the meaning of each tribute.
19 September: Westminster Abbey
For Her Majesty's funeral, the coffin of the queen was adorned with a floral wreath that was made sustainably, upon request of King Charles, and will be buried with her later today at St. George's Chapel.
The wreath had a special connection to her late husband Prince Philip, as it contained myrtle taken from a plant that was grown from a sprig in her wedding bouquet, all those years ago.
Other flowers and foliage have been cut from Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, and Highgrove House for their symbolism: rosemary for remembrance and English oak for the strength of love. Other plants used in the wreath were pelargoniums, garden roses, autumnal hydrangea, sedum, dahlias, and scabious, which appeared in different shades of gold, pink, burgundy, and white, thus reflecting the Royal Standard.
14 September: Westminster Hall
For the lying-in-state procession that brought the coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, the late monarch's casket was draped in the Royal Standard – a flag that represents the sovereign. Additionally, the Imperial State Crown was perched on top of a velvet cushion and placed next to a wreath of flowers.
The wreath was composed of pine from the gardens at Balmoral and lavender from Windsor, according to The Independent. It also included white roses, dahlias, rosemary, and pittosporum. Generally, white roses are thought to symbolise innocence and reverence.
12 September: Edinburgh
While her coffin travelled along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, it was adorned with a different floral arrangement. At the time, the royal family announced that the wreath was made up of dahlias, sweet peas, phlox, white heather, and pine fir, all of which were gathered from the monarch's Balmoral estate.
This arrangement also seemed to honour the queen's late husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away last year. It featured white lilies, roses, freesia, wax flower, jasmine, and sweet peas, the last of which represent farewells and departures.
From: Harper's BAZAAR US
