Featured Image Credit: Credit: BBC
Topics: News, Royal Family, The Queen
Isobel Pankhurst
A memorial service for Prince Philip has been held on Tuesday morning, after his funeral held last year had to be scaled back due to covid-19. People are just noticing the Queen's nod to their wedding day.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, passed away last year, when funeral attendance was limited to just 30 people under covid restrictions.
Today's memorial will honour the Prince's life and legacy, with the Queen herself having been actively involved with the planning.
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In a sweet and personal touch Her Majesty chose to feature white orchids, the flowers she had in her wedding bouquet in 1947.
The Queen's, then Princess, wedding bouquet came from the Worshipful Company of Gardeners and was arranged by florist M.H. Longman.
Alongside white orchids the bouquet also featured a sprig of myrtle - one with a rather special origin.
The myrtle used for this occasion came from a bush that was grown from a sprig used in Queen Victoria's wedding bouquet.
The flowers used in today's ceremony are in shades of red, white and blue, the same colours as those found in the Union Jack.
The orchids feature in small arrangements alongside red freesias, alstroemeria, blue iris, spray roses, eryngium and eustoma.
Larger floral arrangements include red roses and white roses, carnations, gerbera, eustoma, white chrysanthemums, blue agapanthus, delphinium and eryngium.
Eryngium, also known as sea holly, is thought to be a further tribute to the late Duke, honouring his Naval career.
The memorial service will follow the wishes Prince Philip had for his funeral.
Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award holders and members of the youth UK Cadet Force associations are included in the list of attendees.
'Hymn Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer' will be sung, and the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band) will provide rousing music before and after the occasion.
Prayers will be said for the duke's "gifts of character; for his humour and resilience; his fortitude and devotion to duty".