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Royal WeddingsThe Kents

Royal Wedding Flowers: the Kent Brides

Royal wedding bouquets are often overlooked but they are often filled with significance. As well as the myrtle that’s been a tradition since the time of Queen Victoria, these posies are filled with blooms that nod to history and highlight the romance that has brought a bride and groom together. Here’s a look back at the floral choices made by some of the House of Kent’s royal women.

Princess Marina, November 1934

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Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent’s huge wedding bouquet, carried to her marriage at Westminster Abbey on November 29th 1934, was dominated by lilies. Interest in this royal wedding was huge with the team responsible for growing the flowers photographed by newspapers beforehand.

Katharine Worsley, June 1961

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Katharine Worsley was the first royal bride at York Minster in over 600 years so when she wed Edward, Duke of Kent there on June 8th 1961 she carried a bouquet featuring the city’s famous flower. The new Duchess of Kent, who was born and raised at Hovingham Hall in Yorkshire, chose a posy full of the white rose of her home county. Her bridesmaids also carried arrangements of roses with rosebuds in their hair. And just to make this an even more perfect choice, in the language of flowers so beloved by Queen Victoria, a bridal rose means happy love.

Princess Alexandra of Kent, April 1963

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On 24th April 1963, Princess Alexandra of Kent married Angus Ogilvy at Westminster Abbey with a retinue of royal guests in attendance. The bride chose a small bouquet of spring flowers which included camellias and jasmine. In the language of flowers, camellias signify admiration while jasmine means contentment.

Lady Helen Windsor, July 1992

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Lady Helen Windsor, who married Timothy Taylor on July 18th 1992 at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, was an unusual royal bride. She opted for pastel shades for her flowers rather than the more traditional whites and creams. The end result was a pretty posy of pink roses, cornflowers and lavender. In the language of flowers, pink roses mean grace and joy while lavender symbolises devotion.

Lady Gabriella Windsor, May 2019

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Lady Gabriella kept the Kent theme of unusual floral picks going for her marriage to Thomas Kingston at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor on May 18th 2019. The bride carried a posy of cream and pale coral blooms which included roses, stocks, delphiniums and peonies. In the language of flowers, stocks signify affection and lasting beauty.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.