Fit for a Princess

The big talk on everyone's tongues right now is--you guessed it--the royal wedding. We even talked about it for a good twenty minutes in Laurels yesterday! Everyone's agog over the dress, the veil, the couple, and Princess Beatrice's hat. I, on the other hand (though I loved it all but for the hat) would like to take a moment to talk about something no one else seems to have mentioned: the bouquet.

Well! First off, have you ever seen anything more perfectly, gorgeously Georgian? Abigail Adams could have carried a bouquet just like this--and of course I couldn't be happier about that. But this is not all I want to say, nor is it the nerdiest. (A warning to the faint of heart: if the words "history geek" make you want to run away, you should probably stop now.
Kate's bouquet was comprised of flowers which all have symbolic meanings. Yes I do know the Language of the Flowers, thank you very much! Also the language of fans. Any more questions?

Lily-of-the-valley – Return of happiness
Sweet William – Gallantry
Hyacinth – Constancy of love
Ivy: Fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship; affection
Myrtle: the emblem of marriage; love.

All symbolism aside, though, that can't be the only reason she chose to carry Sweet William down the aisle! Honestly. Bet there's more to the story still:

The bouquet contains stems from a myrtle planted at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, by Queen Victoria in 1845, and a sprig from a plant grown from the myrtle used in The Queen’s wedding bouquet of 1947.

The tradition of carrying myrtle begun after Queen Victoria was given a nosegay containing myrtle by Prince Albert’s grandmother during a visit to Gotha in Germany [I am pretty sure this is Augusta Reuss of Ebersdorf who was also Victoria's grandmother]. In the same year, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought Osborne House as a family retreat, and a sprig from the posy was planted against the terrace walls, where it continues to thrive today. 

As the wonderful lady who informed me of all of this said, "History romance coma!" Isn't it loverly?