Philippa's Royal Flowers Distributed to London Hospices and Women's Refuges

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Fulham based florist's glorious display transformed into bouquets over weekend

The glorious floral display around the door and front steps of St George's Chapel in Windsor created by Fulham based florist Philippa Craddock have been transformed into bouquets and distributed to hospices and women's refuges across London.

She announced their distribution on her Instagram page saying:" Today the flowers from the two entrance designs at St George's Chapel were turned into hand ties and delivered to hospices and women's refuges across London - thank you Penny, Kelly, Lucy and Nancy for your support xx."

St Joseph's Hospice in Hackney was among them and the hospice's Iain MacLeod tweeted this picture and message @IainLe2i: " Today we got a very special delivery. Beautiful bouquets made from the #royalwedding flowers which we gave to our patients.

"A big thank you to Harry and Meghan and florist Philippa Craddock. Our hospice smells and looks gorgeous. Such a lovely gesture."

Philippa, whose studio is in Imperial Studios in Fulham's Imperial Road, and her team were photographed taking down the display on Saturday evening while wedding guests partied with Prince Harry and his bride Meghan.

She explained why they were working so quickly, tweeting @PhilippaFlowers: " It was important for the flowers to be as fresh as possible for the next recipients, the designs though inside remained in place all yesterday xx."

Before the wedding, Kensington Palace said of the the flowers: "Where possible, Philippa will use flowers and plants that are in season and blooming naturally in May, including branches of beech, birch and hornbeam, as well as white garden roses, peonies and foxgloves.

"The Royal Parks will supply some pollinator-friendly plants from their wildflower meadows that will be incorporated into the floral designs. These plants provide a great habitat for bees & help to nurture and sustain entire ecosystems by promoting a healthy & biodiverse environment."

The bride's bouquet, meanwhile, also designed by Philippa Craddock and containing lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, astrantia, myrtle, sweet pea and forget-me-knot - some reportedly picked by Prince Harry in Kensington Palace's garden - is now resting on The Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

This is a tradition which was begun by HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, at her marriage to King George VI in memory of her brother Fergus who was killed in 1915 at the Battle of Loos during the First World War. You can read more about this tradition on Wesminster Abbey's website.

Philippa, who says she is self taught, is the preferred supplier to the V&A, Kensington Palace, Banqueting House and Hampton Court Palace and is also Selfridges' in-store florist, with a Flower Shop in the store's Foodhall. As well as decorating the chapel she decorated St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle, where the Queen's luncheon was held on Saturday afternoon.

She announced her appointment last month, saying: "I am thrilled to share with you that we have been asked by Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle to create their wedding flowers in May. 

"I am loving working with them, it is an incredible privilege, and the designs will be a true reflection of them as a couple, with sustainability at the forefront.  We will be using plenty of locally sourced greenery and seasonal flowers including peonies, garden roses and foxgloves."

You can see more of Philippa's work on her Instagram page and website.

May 21, 2018