Her Majesty The Queen: A Sad Goodbye

Flowers have been used worldwide for centuries as symbols of hope and happiness. In today's culture, flowers play an essential part in many people's lives and mark special occasions and milestones from birth to death, with funerals being the last opportunity to say goodbye. 

Although the giving of flowers is generally associated with life's special events, they are also an important symbol of remembrance, sympathy and a celebratory offering at the end of life. Most florists will testify that creating flowers for such solemn occasions is an immense privilege, and we understand the significance of this crucial final gesture.

Moyses Stevens is the UK's oldest florist, and we have celebrated more occasions and witnessed more world events than most. As the Court Florist of the day our founders Susan Moyses and Edwin Stevens were suppliers to Princess Mary Of Adelaide and The Duke of Mecklenburgh-Strelitz amongst other notable people of the day. Moyses Stevens will most certainly have created flowers for Queen Victoria's funeral in 1901 as the team of the day did for the late king George VI in 1952 - as depicted in this photo of the time that shows crowds of people admiring the wreaths and tributes created for his funeral and displayed in our original shop on Victoria Street.

Although we have supplied many flowers for the royal family in happier times, seventy years later, it has been an enormous honour and privilege to have created so many beautiful and heartfelt tributes from world leaders, countries and official organisations in remembrance of HM The Queen. 

Flowers have played a significant role worldwide as we grieve the end of our Elizabethan era.The official flower garden created in honour of the late monarch at Green Park was filled with the colour and fragrance of flowers, notes, gifts (and Paddington Bears) placed by members of the public from all over the world. Countless memorial sites adorned with simple floral tokens have appeared around the world. The laying of flowers is a simple and universally understood way to convey gratitude for Her Majesty's service and to celebrate her incredible life.