What Symbolic Bouquet Would Queen Give Meghan and Harry?

By Jill Brooke

 

It is often said that the Brits don’t like to express emotions verbally.  However, since the age of Queen Victoria, many sentiments can be shared eloquently in the language of flowers. 

With the blockbuster news  posted on their social media, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced they were stepping back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.” They also shared how they plan to reroot to North America where they recently spent a six-week sabbatical and also live in England.

According to royal expert and author  Diane Clehane, the entire family is “incandescent with rage” and was blindsided by this announcement.

“It now appears the couple has been laying the groundwork for their big announcement for some time,” says Clehane. “Last December, Meghan and Harry filed to register a trademark for their organization—Sussex Royal, The Foundation of the Duke and Duchess.  The trademark application applies to categories like clothing, education, counseling services and charitable fundraising.” 

Normally, as we report with all our floral news, people congratulate others upon big announcements with floral arrangements or send colorful blooms to comfort someone.  This got me thinking.

In the language of flowers, what floral bouquet would Queen Elizabeth send Meghan and Harry and what flowers would the Duchess of Sussex bring to her in-laws upon meeting them after her earth-scorching announcement?  

Let’s think. What would be in the Queen’s bouquet? 

Surely, a petunia would be included which represents anger and resentment. Though mostly given as a plant. 

Maybe a yellow carnation since this flower symbolizes rejection and disdain. The Royal Family was very welcoming to her and must be annoyed by her desire to distance Harry from his roots.

Maybe a buttercup would be included which means childishness and thoughtlessness which has to be what she’s thinking about her grandson and his choice of a bride.

And possibly the monks head flower. This deep purple bloom means beware as a warning that a foe is near. The Queen is not to be trifled with! 

 

This should be scattered in a bouquet of roses which is the flower of England – as well as the U.S. – and stands strong among the blooms. Maybe red and white ones since as we reported, in the War of the Roses, one chose sides with a white or red flower. A peace truce happened and this hybrid flower represents that possibility. 

 

What would Meghan’s floral bouquet be for the Queen?

A purple hyacinth is an emblem of forgiveness and means “I am sorry” and please forgive me, because surely the Duchess must realize that it is only proper – and good manners – to inform your family about an announcement of this magnitude before you tell the world. 

Perhaps she would include both a dogwood flower – which represents British Columbia in Canada – a place that has given the young couple joy and peace from press intrusions.

 

At her wedding to Prince Harry, Markle’s Givenchy veil incorporated flowers from all of the 53 countries in the Commonwealth including Canada too – as well as the California poppy. 

She also created a trend by using elderflowers in her wedding cake. This flower could be included because it represents compassion and she is seeking that for her choices.

Another option is the bird of paradise which represents a desire for liberty.  Or the cyclamen which is a flower that means a need for separation. 

Because she is conscious of floral symbolism, the Duchess could include an Eglantine rose which acknowledges that a wound has occurred that needs to be healed. It also shares that England will still be her home and in her thoughts.

It won’t be hard to make this bouquet either. For her star-studded baby shower, she invited Lewis Miller to instruct how to make beautiful floral bouquets. 

What do you think should be in the bouquets?  After all,  family also teaches us important lessons in forgiveness, tolerance and how do love people different than you.  

Luckily there are heirs and spares in this family. Prince William and Kate, as well as their children, are great role models for the future of the Royal Family.

Jill Brooke is a former CNN correspondent, Post columnist and editor-in-chief of Avenue and Travel Savvy magazine. She is an author and the editorial director of FPD.