Sprig of the fragrant myrtle flower.
Posted on 04/07/2011 4:16:36 PM PDT by Liz
Kate Middleton will incorporate royal tradition dating back to the 19th century with Queen Victoria – “a sprig of myrtle from the tree that still grows today in Victoria’s personal garden at her palace by the sea, Osborne House at Isle of Wight.”
Once called the nosegay or tussie mussie, the bridal bouquet rose in popularity during Queen Victoria’s reign. In the Victorian era, it became customary for brides to save a sprig of myrtle or ivy from the bridal bouquet and plant it to be used for generations to come.
Queen Victoria planted the fragrant myrtle and all royal brides in her family, including Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana of Wales, have carried a sprig of myrtle on their wedding day.
Kate Middleton will embrace the royal wedding tradition with her bridal bouquet. Sources say she will also place her nose gay on the Unknown Warrior’s grave in Westminster Abbey, just as Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana did.
“In ancient Hebrew times, myrtle was a symbol of marriage. As a Victorian symbol, myrtle symbolizes fidelity and is thought to bring good luck – an emblem of everlasting love, marital bliss, and desire,” wrote Kenzy England.
Sprig of the fragrant myrtle flower.
Victoria and Albert wedding picture
On 19 April, in the cathedral of Saint Nicholas, the royal groom wore a wedding outfit that he had designed himself, based on the uniform of Napoleon’s marshals. His bride was more than a match for his princely plumage, thanks to her natural beauty and her magnificent wedding dress. The bodice was made of antique lace, and a high cummerbund of ivory silk faille encircled the bride’s slim waist, now measuring less than 21 inches due to the strain of the wedding preparations during the preceding few months.
The full silk skirt was bell-shaped and the silk tulle veil had two lace lovebirds appliquéd at the back. According to MGM, the cathedral bridal ensemble had taken six weeks to create and involved the skills of 35 craftspeople, working under strict conditions to preserve the secrecy of the design. Helen Rose designed both the cathedral and the civil-ceremony wedding dresses — Prince Rainier designed his own outfit
As was the Monaguesqe custom, the civil marriage of Grace and Prince Rainier took place in the Monaco palace throne room on 18 April 1956. The bride was beautiful in a beige lace and dusty rose silk suit with a fitted bodice and skirt that flared into a full hem. A close-fitting hat trimmed with silk flowers, pink silk pumps and white gloves added the final touches.
The studio also gave its star a dozen Helen Rose-designed outfits from High Society – the actress’s 11th and final film. She expanded her trousseau to some 40 outfits during a rapid shopping trip to New York. The colour palette included beige, delicate pastels and her favourite hue, yellow.
Grace in a Maggy Rouff gown
I think Katharine Middleton is going to make fine Queen, or at least she has very good PR advisors
That was very pleasant. Thanks for the post.
I love royal weddings. The first bride to put her bouquet om the WWi unknown grave was Elizabwth’s mother who died at over a hundred. She did it on impulse and to honor her brother who died in that war. She took care of wounded soldiers at Glamis castle where she was a young teen and was remembered by hundreds of them for her kindness and cheerfulness and understanding. A fine Scottish lass she was.
I love royal weddings. The first bride to put her bouquet om the WWi unknown grave was Elizabwth’s mother who died at over a hundred. She did it on impulse and to honor her brother who died in that war. She took care of wounded soldiers at Glamis castle where she was a young teen and was remembered by hundreds of them for her kindness and cheerfulness and understanding. A fine Scottish lass she was.
Really, it was nice. An entire post when I didn’t have to gnash my teeth. Thanks, Liz.
A nosegay, posey (or posie, posy), flower bouquet or tussie-mussie is a small bunch of flowers, typically given as a gift.
It’ll be the most watched wedding in the world. I just hope it’s shown at a reasonable hour down here. BTW, I laughed my self silly when I heard that Barry Soetoro wasn’t invited. Rule Britannia.
How nice that she’ll never have to work a day in her life.
She’s just like Paris Hilton without the porn.
So far.
I like Kate, she seems pretty down-to-earth.
Very lovely!
There is a certain logic attached to sleeping with someone
in order to secure a lifetime of luxury. Most ho's understand this.
That's an awful thing to say.
“How nice that she’ll never have to work a day in her life.”
Actualy, she will probably be making public appearances on behalf of the crown like Diana did. Lots and lots of appearances.
Kate is a cutie with a down home character. Looks like her folks did a fine job raising her.
She was my first love.
Bad manners dear.
KATE AND PRINCE
Diana on her wedding day.
BOOK COVER The book written about creating the dress is beautifully illustrated.
Diana's attendants' dresses.
Royal wedding invitees include 60 leaders of the Queen's realms in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, and over 200 members of Government and Parliament. But not Pres Barack Obama and his wife........the majority of guests are from the couple's circle of family and friends.....members of the defence services, reps from Prince William's charities. Celebrities like the Beckhams and 30 members of the armed forces are invited.
The invitation - a white card gilded with gold in a pale brown envelope. The Queen's initials are die-stamped in gold on the card below a crown. It reads: "The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by the Queen to invite [name] to the marriage of his Royal Highness Prince William of Wales KG with Miss Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on Friday 29 April 2011 at 11.00am." The dress requirements are given as "uniform, morning coat or lounge suit". About 600 relatives, friends and dignitaries are invited to the lunchtime reception hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace and just 300 will stay on at the palace for a more intimate evening dinner, which will be followed by dancing.
Lounge suit---meaning not formal (no tails and top hat).
Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong Jones.
Elizabeth and Phillip
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