The Queen’s floral tribute, left on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior ahead of Remembrance Day, was especially poignant. Her Majesty left a replica of her wedding bouquet on the grave as she paid her respects there just hours before lockdown.
It was a nod to a tradition followed by brides from the House of Windsor for almost a century and held a special link to her own parents. For it was the Queen Mother, then Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who began the tribute when she laid her bouquet on the grave as she made her way into Westminster Abbey to marry Albert, Duke of York, later King George VI.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Queen visited the Abbey on November 4th to pay her respects. Her visit also marked the 100th anniversary of the interment of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster, an even overseen by her beloved grandfather, King George V.
The soldier represents the many thousands who died during the Great War between 1914 and 1918. The Queen’s flowers were laid on the stone above him which bears the words ‘’They buried him among the kings because he had done good to God and toward his House.’’
Embed from Getty ImagesThis special floral tribute contained a selection of orchids as well as a sprig of the myrtle traditionally used in royal wedding bouquets. Her Majesty stood for a moment in thought as she laid her hand on the flowers before her equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah of the Household Cavalry, placed them on the Tomb.
Her Majesty’s visit to Westminster Abbey was her final engagement before lockdown. On Remembrance Sunday itself, she led the Royal Family in tributes to all those who have given their lives for their country as she watched a special service at the Cenotaph from a balcony overlooking Whitehall. The Prince of Wales laid the wreath on behalf of the nation.
