The Special Significance of Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral Flowers and What They Mean

Jessica Sager
·2 min read
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There was more than beauty behind the sustainable floral choices.

Queen Elizabeth II was honored not just with a funeral service, but also with the choice of her funeral flowers.

According to Buckingham Palace, the funeral floral arrangements included flowers and greenery from Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, and Highgrove House, per King Charles III's request.

Related: Prince Harry and Prince William Walk Side-by-Side in Queen Elizabeth's Funeral Procession

Rosemary was included as a symbol of remembrance, and myrtle grown from a sprig of Queen Elizabeth II's wedding bouquet was included "as a symbol of a happy marriage."

The long-reigning monarch and Prince Philip were famously married for 73 years until his death in April 2021.

Related: See Prince George and Princess Charlotte Walk in Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral Procession

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top into St. George's Chapel on Sept. 19, 2022, in Windsor, England. The committal service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, took place following the state funeral at Westminster Abbey. A private burial in The King George VI Memorial Chapel followed<p><a href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/1425232919" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images</a></p>

Related: King Charles III Writes Queen Elizabeth II a Heartfelt Note Ahead of Her Funeral

English oak was also part of the arrangement to symbolize "the strength of love."

Other florals and sprigs included roses, hydrangeas, dahlias, pelargoniums (geraniums), scabious (pincushions), and sedum. They were all in various shades of burgundy, gold, pink, and white.

Adhering to Charles' wishes, the bouquets were made sustainably without the use of any floral foam, instead bonded with a combination of English oak branches and English moss.

Related: Why Duchess Meghan and Princess Kate Wore Colorless Jewels to the Queen’s Funeral

The Queen died on Sept. 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was 96.

Her state funeral services were held on Monday, Sept. 19, with a procession at Westminster Abbey in London.

A second private service was held at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle for a significantly smaller crowd of just 800 individuals, including close family, friends, members of the household past and present, and British officials.

Next, find out exactly how long Elizabeth II was Queen of England.