King Charles III Coronation 2023: What Flowers To Expect -

King Charles III's Coronation will take place on Saturday 6th May 2023, but what flowers are likely to feature in the ceremony? Keep reading for everything you need to know about King Charles' favourite flowers, Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation flowers, and what beautiful blooms will appear.

King Charles III's Coronation: What flowers will we see?

The colourful Coronation flowers will "reflect the real characters" of the King and Queen Consort. Inside Westminster Abbey, there will be 30 varieties of tulip, crab apples, azaleas, rhododendrons, and branches of trees planted by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

Other species include hellebores (they featured in the King's buttonhole at his 2005 wedding), and Lily of the valley and auriculas for the Queen. We'll also see cowslips, primroses and violets at The Great West Door. There will also be two tall yew topiaries at the door, which will be replanted later at Sandringham to grow into a permanent tribute to the Coronation.

Rosemary, bluebells, forget-me-nots and bay will be situated at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in the Abbey. The last of this year's daffodils have also been used, to symbolise chivalry.

Florist Shane Connolly, who was in charge of the flowers for the weddings of both the King and Queen in 2005, told The Telegraph: "The flowers are one of the things that can reflect the real characters of the King and Queen, simple garden flowers that are British seasonal, like they might cut themselves from their own gardens. I felt that was really important.

"Maybe this and the music are the two things that really reflect that personality. That was my aim, to make it all incredibly personal to them."

london, england may 04 florist shane connolly, who will be arranging the flowers within westminster abbey, amongst the coronation service flowers at chapter house, westminster abbey, ahead of the coronation of king charles iii and the queen consort on may 4, 2023 in london, england photo by yui mok wpa poolgetty images

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Shane arranging the flowers

The flowers at the Coronation have been provided by Flowers from the Farm, meanwhile foliage from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) will feature at the High Alter. Chosen to reflect the King's passion for gardening, the flowers will be arranged using sustainable techniques without floral foam.

Shane adds: "The colours are more serious, I think. And we were very much inspired by the Cosmati pavement and the High Altar. It's almost like a stained glass window – the deep reds, earthy colours, coppery colours and fresh green."

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All of the flowers and branches used will be donated to Floral Angels, a charity of which the Queen is patron. They will be reused in bouquets, and sent to care homes, shelters, hospices and other members of the local community.

The seasonal Coronation flowers have all been grown in UK soil, from Cornwall in the south west of England to the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides, off the north west coast of Scotland.

"If guests take away something I would love it to be, Wow, that was all grown in Britain! Isn't that amazing!' So many big events people go to are full of flowers that have been flown halfway round the world. This is British, grown in the soil of the kingdom," adds Shane.

A symbol of purity, joy, love and sincerity, Lily of the valley was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II and featured in her Coronation bouquet in 1953.

Her Majesty's Coronation bouquet was made up of white flowers – comprising of orchids and lily-of-the-valley from England, stephanotis from Scotland, orchids from Wales, and carnations from Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. These featured as a representation of British colonies overseas.

It was also included in Kate Middleton's bridal bouquet when she married Prince William, so has special family connections.

queen elizabeth ii outside the city chambers in glasgow during a coronation tour of scotland, 1953

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Queen Elizabeth II outside the City Chambers in Glasgow during a Coronation Tour of Scotland, 1953

The official Coronation invitation featured flowers such as cornflowers, wild strawberries, dog roses, bluebells, and a sprig of rosemary for remembrance. It also had a British wildflower meadow bordering the invitation and illustrations of lily of the valley.