Floral Displays in the Abbey and Buckingham Palace

The Couple have taken a close interest in the designs, which follows a theme that pays tribute to the Language of Flowers

Prince William and Miss Middleton have chosen London-based floral designer Shane Connolly to create the floral displays for their wedding on April 29th. Mr. Connolly has directed a team of florists, including Westminster Abbey's and Buckingham Palace's florists, and florists individually chosen by the Couple, to create the floral displays at the Abbey and for Buckingham Palace.

Mr. Connolly was chosen by the Couple owing to his reputation for producing elegant and unique displays, and for his creative approach which focuses on using seasonal, natural and organic flowers. Mr. Connolly is also well known for his sustainable approach to floristry, which incorporates as much as possible the use of growing, rather than cut, plants and trees.

The Couple have taken a close interest in the designs, which follows a theme that pays tribute to the Language of Flowers.

The floral displays in Westminster Abbey feature a variety of seasonal growing and cut British flowers and trees sourced from Royal Estates and other growers around the country. The flowers and plants include blossoms, azaleas, rhododendron, euphorbias, beech, wisteria and lilac.

The floral displays in the Abbey will include eight 20 feet-high trees: six English Field Maple and two Hornbeam. All the trees will be growing in planters, which have also been designed by Mr. Connolly and which were made by craftsmen at Highgrove, The Prince of Wales's Residence in Gloucestershire.

After the wedding, the flowers and plants will be left in position in Westminster Abbey for the public to view until Friday 6th May 2011. Following this, many of the trees will be taken to Highgrove Gardens, where they will be planted. The Couple's intention is that many of the cut plants and flowers and all the growing plants will be donated to charities or re-planted.

Notes to editors

• The trees, plants and flowers are being sourced from the Saville Gardens and Valley Gardens in Windsor Great Park, Sandringham Estate and other English growers.

• Shane Connolly
  
  Shane Connolly was born and raised in Northern Ireland. He has a lifelong passion for gardening and plants. After reading Psychology at university, he had a complete career change and trained under London's leading floral designers. He set up his business in 1989. Mr. Connolly has worked on a number of events for The Prince of Wales's Household. He was asked by The Duchess of Cornwall to design her bouquet and all the flowers for her marriage to The Prince of Wales in 2005. The company was awarded a Royal Warrant of Appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales in 2006. Shane has written three books. For more information visit www.shaneconnolly.co.uk.

• Highgrove Garden
  
  The Prince of Wales has over the last 30 years transformed the grounds of his country residence Highgrove into inspired and innovative gardens. The Prince's strict adherence to organic and sustainable methods has helped create gardens which are both magical and intriguing while being environmentally sound, encouraging both plants and wildlife to thrive. Thirty thousand visitors tour the gardens every year. All the proceeds from the garden tours are donated to the Prince's Charities Foundation. For more information about the Highgrove Gardens visit www.highgrovegardens.com.

• National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS)
  
  Six members of NAFAS will also be helping Shane Connolly and his team to decorate Westminster Abbey. NAFAS members have arranged the flowers for special occasions at Westminster Abbey for many years. For more information visit www.nafas.org.uk.

Mrs Middleton's dress

Mrs. Carole Middleton is wearing a sky blue wool crepe coatdress with matching satin piping and passementerie at the waist and cuff over a sky blue silk shantung ‘Sydney’ day dress with short pleated sleeves and pleated pockets.  The dress and coatdress are by Catherine Walker.  Mrs. Middleton’s hat is by Berkshire-based Jane Corbett.

Titles announced for Prince William and Catherine Middleton

The Queen has today been pleased to confer a Dukedom on Prince William of Wales. His titles will be Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus.

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

The Queen has today been pleased to confer a Dukedom on Prince William of Wales. His titles will be Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus.

Prince William thus becomes His Royal Highness The Duke of  Cambridge and Miss Catherine Middleton on marriage will become Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.

Background:

DUKEDOM: Cambridge:

In 1706 George Augustus (subsequently George II) the only son of George Ludwig, Elector of Hanover (subsequently George I of Great Britain) was created with other titles Duke of Cambridge.   On the accession of his father to the throne in 1714 he also became Duke of Cornwall and was created Prince of Wales.   On his own accession to the throne in 1727 the Dukedom of Cambridge merged with The Crown and ceased.  

Cambridge was previously a Royal Dukedom and four sons of James, Duke of York (afterwards James II) who died in infancy were all created Duke of Cambridge.   As an Earldom Cambridge was a medieval Royal title.   Edward IV was Duke of York and Earl of Cambridge till proclaimed King of England in 1461 when his titles merged with The Crown.   

His father and grandfather both Richard Plantagenet were both Earls of Cambridge and the latter was also Duke of York.   Edmund of Langley, 5^th son of Edward III and great-grandfather of Edward IV, was created Earl of Cambridge in 1362 and Duke of York in 1385.  

The Dukedom of Cambridge created in 1801 became extinct on the death of the 2^nd Duke of Cambridge in 1904.   Cambridge existed as a Marquessate from 1917 when it was conferred on Queen Mary’s brother till 1981 when the 2^nd Marquess died and the title became extinct.

EARLDOM: Strathearn

Strathearn has had Royal connections since Robert Stewart, High Steward of Scotland, was created Earl of Strathearn in 1357.   In 1371 he succeeded his Uncle as King of Scotland becoming Robert II and the Earldom merged with The Crown Robert II created his 5^th son David, Earl of Strathearn in 1371. Subsequently in 1427 the 6^th son of Robert II was created Earl of Strathearn.  

In 1766 George III’s younger brother Prince Henry Frederick was created Duke of Cumberland and Strathearn.   He died without issue in 1790 and in 1799 Queen Victoria’s father was created Duke of Kent and Strathearn.   These Dukedoms became extinct on his death in 1820.  Finally, Prince Arthur William Patrick Albert, 3^rd son of Queen Victoria was created Duke of Connaught and Strathearn in 1874.  He died in 1942 and was succeeded by his grandson who died the following year 1943 since when Strathearn as a title has been extinct.

BARONY: Carrickfergus:

An Irish Viscountcy of Chichester of Carrickfergus now held by the Marquess of Donegall was created in 1625  but Carrickfergus alone only existed as a title between 1841 and 1883.   The 3^rd Marquess of Donegall was created Baron Ennishowen and Carrickfergus, of Ennishowen, co: Donegal and Carrickfergus, co: Antrim.   He died in 1883 being succeeded by his brother and the Barony became extinct. 

Carrickfergus is County Antrim’s oldest town.  The word means Rock of Fergus andas an urban settlement it predates Belfast. It is on the north shore of Belfast Lough and is the site of  Carrickfergus Castle which dates from circa 1180 and is one of the best preserved Castles in Ireland.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave Buckingham Palace in an Aston Martin

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave Buckingham Palace for Clarence House.

The Duke is driving an Aston Martin DB6. The convertible Aston Martin Volante DB6 MKII in Seychelles blue is owned by his father HRH The Prince of Wales. The Prince has owned the car since 1969.

In June 2008, at the specific request of The Prince of Wales, who is keen that his cars should be run on sustainable fuel, the Aston Martin was converted to run on E85 bioethanol, made from English wine wastage.

OMG, David beckham mistakenly wore a medal of honor at the Royal Wedding

Stupid mistake. David beckham mistakenly wore a medal of honor at the Royal Wedding. Beckham and Victoria is one of the many guests who were invited by the British royal to attend the wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton at the Church of Westminster Abbey, London.

For this show Beckham wearing a Ralph Lauren jacket and hat design that was designed by Philip Treacy.

Beckham's appearance at a glance looks perfect but, if carefully considered there was one mistake contained in clothing worn by a former retainer of the Three Lions are.

Medals OBE (Order of the British Empire) which should be pinned on the left side, precisely mounted on the right side of the jacket is used. As a result Beckham became the target scene photojournalist who roamed in the event.