On her wedding day, the Duchess of Cambridge chose ‘White Gardenia Petals’ by Illuminum, a little-known £70 fragrance. And that was not the only refreshing nod to the world of flowers that Kate has brought.
Fiona Cairns, her wedding cake maker, worked with the royal bride to reproduce Victorian floral symbols over the edifice:
Rose (white) national flower of England
Daffodil national flower of Wales; also new beginnings
Shamrock national flower of Ireland
Thistle national flower of Scotland
Acorn, Oak Leaf strength, endurance
Apple Blossom preference, good fortune
Bridal Rose happiness, love
Daisy innocence, simplicity
Honeysuckle the band of love
Ivy wedded love, marriage, affection
Jasmine (white) amiability
Lavender ardent attribute, devotion, success and luck
Lily of the Valley sweetness, humility (and Queen Victoria’s favourite flower)
Sweet William grant me one smile (and, of course, her spouse’s name)
White Heather protection; wishes will come true
Completing the picture was her bouquet: a small one of white-flowered hyacinth, lily-of-the-valley, myrtle, and sweet William. It was left, as has become a Royal tradition for such, on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Westminister Abbey
Wes Porter is a horticultural consultant and writer based in Toronto. Wes has over 40 years of experience in both temperate and tropical horticulture from three continents.
