King Charles III
His affectionate farewell to the Queen
On the coffin in the floral decoration behind the crown is the last message from King Charles III. to see his mother.
© Getty Images/BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP
King Charles wrote his mother a loving farewell. He can be seen in the floral decorations on the Queen’s coffin.
King Charles III (73) wrote a farewell to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022), and left it on her coffin. The note, which was displayed in the floral decorations at the funeral service on Monday (19.9.) in London’s Westminster Abbey, reads: “In loving and devoted memory. Charles R.”
Card in meaningful mourning ribbon
King Charles had specially requested the plants of the crape. The flowers and greenery come from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove House. The floral decoration was composed of rosemary, myrtle, pedunculate oak, geraniums, garden roses, autumnal hydrangeas, sedum, dahlias and scabious.
Some flowers were chosen for their symbolism: rosemary represents commemoration, while myrtle was grown from a myrtle sprig from the Queen’s wedding bouquet. The myrtle is an ancient symbol of a happy marriage. The pedunculate oak, on the other hand, symbolizes the strength of love.
Details of the floral decoration the palace posted on Instagram: “At the King’s request, the wreath includes leaves of rosemary, English oak and myrtle (from a plant grown from the myrtle in the Queen’s wedding bouquet), as well as flowers in shades of gold, pink and deep burgundy with hints of white, the come from the gardens of the royal residences.”
Coronation, Wedding and State Funeral
The state funeral was held at Westminster Abbey, where the Queen was crowned and married her late husband, Prince Philip (1926-2022).