In the build up to Friday's Royal Wedding, I've enjoyed watching one or two of the many TV programmes looking back on royal weddings of the past. (Well, I was enjoying them until I realised that it's 30 years since Charles and Diana got married. Yes, 30 years! There's nothing like a cultural reference to shock you into realising you're not as young as you were). But, aside from the frocks and flowers, pomp and ceremony, the thing that most impressed me was the tradition of the bride to lay her bouquet on the grave of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey. This was started in 1923 by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, whose eldest brother Fergus, was killed in the First World War during the Battle of Loos in 1915. A completely spontaneous, heart-felt gesture at the time, by a woman who had watched the young men of her generation head to war and never return, not even to be buried. Elizabeth left her flowers on the way to the alter, whereas subsequent royal brides have placed them on the way back. Either way, it's a sensitive act and, sadly, while men continue to die fighting for their country, is still as relevant today as it was then.
Didn't know that. Very, very touching.
ReplyDeleteIs it really 30 years?!
I'm afraid so! It was July 1981.
ReplyDeleteAnd I expect you'll have been pleased to note, CB, that the tradition continues, with the bridal bouquet being laid at the tomb today.
ReplyDeleteYes GM. These days the Royal brides like to hold on the flowers for the photographs after the service, which is understandable, although it would have made quite an impact if Catherine had paused by the tomb as she passed on her way out of the Abbey, wouldn't it?
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