Students from Capel Manor College will deliver a bouquet to the Queen today to mark the 59th anniversary of her coronation.
The Capel Manor students have spent the day perfecting a posy inspired by the one carried by the Queen on her coach drive to Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953. Floristry tutor Michelle Moore delivered the bouquet to Buckingham Palace this afternoon.
The original bouquet comprised lily of the valley from England, orchids from Wales, stephanotis from Scotland, and carnations from Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.
Working from an oil painting of the bouquet by Anna Zinkeisen, students have selected Phalaenopsis orchids, lily of the valley, spray roses, Stephanotis and Polianthes tuberose with some myrtle. The floristry students have been given the royal seal of approval for the task for the past three years. Floristry tutor Michelle Moore and her team were commissioned by Livery company the Worshipful Company of Gardeners.
Mooresaid: “I’m honoured to be asked to do this again and it is a fantastic opportunity for the students to extend their skills as wired bouquets such as this, where each flower is thread through a wire, are not widely made. Myrtle is a mainstay of royal bouquets, and has come from the college gardens in Gunnersbury Park, though traditionally would have come from the grounds of Clarence House.
“The history connected with this makes it a truly educational event for the students. Let’s hope we are considered next year for the diamond jubilee.”
Poulomi Maitra-Williams, a City & Guilds Advanced Certificate in Floristry student, said: “This really stretches my skills as a florist. This is great experience - the beauty and quality of the flowers, and the fact it is wired, are unusual. We had to take great care during preparation to ensure that we were as neat and precise as possible.”
Kayleigh Davidson, 24, said: “I feel extremely privileged to be involved, and have been very excited about it since I heard we were doing it.”
Jun 7, 2011 , scotland
Well done ladies! Feel sorry for us oldies who had to make all bridal bouquets with wires I remember taping tiny pieces of damp cotton wool to the stems then covering the stems with tape. Not only did itsan take forever but the final result was very heavy for the bride! Thank heavens for oasis be...