The Duchess of Cornwall with Gillian Wheeler, principal of the Covent Garden Academy of Flowers (Pic: Marek Sikora)
The Covent Garden Academy of Flowers yesterday celebrated the first week of spring with a special visitor – HRH Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
Her Royal Highness met Academy founders, principal Gillian Wheeler, her husband Alan Wheeler, and daughter and head of retail buying Fleur Wheeler at the morning reception.
After meeting the Academy team and observing students from the Classic Course, HRH was invited to create her own table arrangement with a springtime twist.
Using lilacs, roses, tulips, hyacinths, berried ivy, eucalyptus and quail eggs, Camilla’s creative side blossomed at the London floral design school.
Principal Gillian Wheeler said: "She loved it, and knew all the names of flowers and foliage. She remarked how much she loves flowers and how she does them herself at home, she won’t let anyone else. Not only was she a lovely lady and a real pleasure to meet, she was but an absolute natural – I'd give her 10 out of 10."
Gillian met HRH Prince Charles and Camilla after creating the flower displays for The Royal Ballet in Richmond Park to celebrate the opening of the Darcey Bussell Studio.
“After the show we were introduced and she remarked on how lovely the flowers were, her love of flowers and how she’d love to learn more about them,” Gillian said.
“So when we opened the Academy last November, I thought I’d write her a letter inviting her to visit The Academy. To our great delight, Clarence House wrote back that she’d love to visit.”
The Academy is also setting up a course in conjunction with the Prince's Trust called "Get Into Floristry" that will offer training to young people.bThe three-week course will include a work placement and six months of mentoring to follow. The scheme aims to be in operation by the end of summer.
The Covent Garden Academy of Flowers is a new flower design school in the heart of Central London, offering a wide range of course for beginners to advanced students.
The Academy’s professional courses are BAC and Greenwich University accredited, with day and evening courses also on offer.
For more information, to apply for and view all The Academy’s 2011 courses, visit www.academyofflowers.com
