The Duchess of Cornwall sends a message of support to mark British Flowers Week
Today (Monday 15th June), is the start of this year’s British Flowers Week (15th -21st June) and the Duchess of Cornwall has sent a message of support to the initiative which celebrates British growers and florists across the land. Run by New Covent Garden Market, British Flowers Week is asking the public to join in the celebrations by placing British grown flowers in their windows, front porch or gate where passer-by by can see them.
The Duchess of Cornwall, herself a keen gardener and with a strong interest in British flowers, has also created her very own arrangement from flowers grown and picked by her at her home in Birkhall, Scotland. Her bouquet includes forgot-me-nots, cranesbill, Alchemilla, tulips, peonies, poppies, cow parsley and Solomon’s Seal. Her Royal Highness is also Patron of Floral Angels, a charity based at New Covent Garden’s Flower Market who recycle flowers used at weddings and events into smaller bouquets to send out to community organisations, such as care homes and hospices. Her Royal Highness mentions them in her message.
Script of the video message as recorded by The Duchess of Cornwall:
“In these difficult times, when we are all searching for something to brighten our lives, there is nothing that can lift our spirits more than our native flowers and plants. They are nature’s healers. In our gardens, in our window boxes, or even in just a simple vase, their glorious scents and myriad of colours are veritable life enhancers.
She continued: “That is why, this year in particular, British Flowers Week is even more important than ever. As the Patron of Floral Angels, who are based at the Market, I would like to say a huge thank you to the New Covent Garden Market and The Garden Museum for making this celebration of the wealth and variety of British-grown flowers possible, and to the people behind them; the growers, the gardeners, the florists and everyone who appreciates their beauty and their contribution to our well-being. Keep safe and ‘say it with flowers’.”
This year, British Flowers Week also has the support of a number of prominent UK florists including Simon Lycett and Shane Connolly – both of whom have worked for the British Royal Family. Shane also holds The Prince of Wales’ Royal Warrant. The Garden Museum, which the Prince of Wales is a Patron of, The Real Flower Company and Flowers from the Farm are also working with New Covent Garden Market to celebrate the week. Shane Connolly said: “In the UK we have world-class growers producing an amazing variety of beautiful, natural, scented flowers and foliage. Every season brings something new and wonderful that will soothe or inspire us and remind us what nature really looks like. So I am proud and delighted to be a part of this year’s New Covent Garden Market British Flower Week celebrations and I encourage all of you to join in too, by placing your own British flowers or drawings in your window for others to enjoy”
Rebecca Barrett, Communications and Marketing Director at Covent Garden Market Authority who run British Flowers Week, said: “We are delighted and grateful for the support of The Duchess of Cornwall this year. I’m sure the stunning bouquet that she hand-picked herself will encourage others to put all things British in their own windows so that passersby can see them. This year, as we see non-essential retailers including florists and New Covent Garden’s Flower Market itself reopen to the public on Monday 15th June, it’s more important than ever to show your support for independent British florists and growers.”
Make sure you’re celebrating this British Flowers Week (15-21 June) by adding a beautiful British flower, bouquet, bunch of foliage or drawing to your window, and share a picture on social media using the hashtag #BritishFlowersWeek and tagging @MarketFlowers to show your support. Those who want to buy British flowers can find a nationwide list of where to buy them https://www.britishflowersweek.com/buying-british-flowers
