This and That – The Queen’s Flowers at Buckingham Palace.

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Good evening from London.

When I think of England, I think of flowers. From the formal gardens of the aristocracy to simple WWII Victory gardens, dear old England is a garden all its own. And since the passing of the Queen, Buckingham Palace has become one massive floral display.

We hailed a taxi to the Palace, getting as close as the funeral barricades allowed. Walking down the Mall, the long street leading up to the Palace, the crowds were enormous. The earliest tributes were stuck between the towering black and gilded fence that surrounds the Palace. When they started overflowing onto the sidewalks, people were instructed to put them under the trees on the Palace grounds. And that they did!

As you can see from Sam’s wonderful snaps, the floral displays filled the grounds. Wafting above it all was the overwhelming scent of roses, chrysanthemums, and lilies. From somewhere, a military band could be heard playing rousing marches.

While taking it all in, I couldn’t help but compare the funeral tribute at St. Paul’s to the floral tributes. One took place in the majestic, columned, marbled splendor of a House of God. Choral music filled the air. Hushed whispers and prayers floated upward. In the lush green cathedral of trees on the Palace grounds, the prayers of those in attendance were not verbal. They were soft to the touch, lovely to smell, and a sight to behold.

This English garden did not disappoint. We leave ole London town in the morning via the train from Waterloo Station. Destination – Salisbury. The sun is setting as I sit here in this peaceful park across from our hotel, The Tavistock Hotel. I will miss it, as I will miss dear ole London town.

Goodnight, dear friends.

(Originally posted September 12, 2022)

Waiting in line to view the flowers.
One of many floral arrangements. Notice how someone placed a picture of the Queen on the ground, and people placed bundles of flowers around it.
A crown of flowers.
This floral display was touching beyond words.
There were hundreds of piles of flowers like this.
Another touching remembrance from a child. There were hundreds of these, as well.

Flowers lay everywhere on the ground.

From mounds of flowers like this one, the air was scented with the sweet smells of roses, lilies, and chrysanthemums.
This was one of many flower hearts.