One crucial detail for any Royal wedding is the Myrtle flower. So where did the Myrtle plant come from? And why is it so popular for Royal weddings?
History of the Myrtle plant
The flower itself represents love, fertility and innocence. The use of the flower dates right back before the Royals to Ancient Greece. Initially used for Roman Wedding rituals, as the Romans firmly believed the flower represented love.
In addition, the Greeks received wreaths as athletic prizes. The wreaths were often made of gold resembling the Myrtle flower. They would be mainly worn to formal events due to being extremely fragile. Quite often they would also request to be buried with the wreaths. A wreath made of gold from 300-30 BC was discovered in 1977 at Vergina.
From here, Myrtle became more popular in the 19th Century in Germany. It is believed once a bride was married, they would be blindfolded for the evening dances. The younger girls would then dance around the newly bride. Once dances stopped, the wreath was placed on one of the girls’ heads. This would represent she would be the next to marry. – Perhaps where we now get the bouquet throw at modern-day weddings.
Myrtle at Osborne House
Queen Victoria is why Myrtle was introduced into Royal bouquets. Growing at her holiday home on the Isle of Wight there are reflections from her diary that she would often pace up and down her beautiful garden enjoying the delicious smell of Honeysuckle, Magnolias, Myrtle, and Roses.
Before it grew at Osborne Queen Victoria was gifted a posey of Myrtle from Alberts Grandmother in 1845. The first wedding that Myrtle was used in was 1850 within Victoria and Alberts Daughters bouquet.
Photo Credit, The Austin Family.
Myrtle can still be found today at Osborne House growing on the Terrace walls which have grown there since 1852, and within the Children’s Garden at the Swiss Cottage.
A lot of Romance can be found on the Isle of Wight, read more information on Getting Married on the Isle of Wight.
Royal Weddings With Myrtle
Photo © Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix / Alamy Stock Photo.
The flower has been used in the weddings of Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.
Tips on how to grow your own Myrtle can be found Here.
History Credit English Heritage
English Royal Engagement Rings
We’ve put together our favourite Royal engagement rings. Each design is so different, and therefore we love them all.
Princess Beatrice
Firstly, we are starting with Princess Beatrice’s engagement ring a completely bespoke piece, Princess Beatrices, now Husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, worked with jewellery designer Shaun Leane to create the fantastic statement piece.
The ring features a central GIA certified Round Brilliant cut diamond weighing 3cts. Created in 950 Platinum. A diamond with high colour and clarity was matched with two tapering side baguettes flowing down to round brilliant diamonds onto the shoulders.
Princess Diana
When Charles proposed to Diana, he hadn’t picked a ring, and instead decided to let Diana choose her engagement ring from a selection of designs by Garrard, the then crown jeweller. Diana picked the sapphire-and-diamond cluster Marguerite ring, inspired by a sapphire-and-diamond brooch Prince Albert had asked Garrard to create as a present for his future wife, Queen Victoria, in 1840.
Most Royals have Bespoke designs crafted, making their engagement ring one of a kind. Dianas choice of the Garrod engagement ring caused controversy in the Family due to the ring not being one of a kind, meaning anyone could purchase the same ring. If they had $60,000.00. “[Harry said] ‘I remember when I held mummy’s hand when I was a small boy, and that ring always hurt me because it was so big,’”
Kate Middleton
William, of course, proposed to Kate Middleton with the iconic Lady Dianas 12 carat blue sapphire engagement ring. Kate had the ring altered slightly by having pips added inside the ring to make it fit tighter. This is often an option if a ring design cannot be resized due to its design. You can read more about this method.
Queen Elizabeth II
When Prince Phillip proposed to Queen Elizabeth II in 1946, times were tough even in the monarchy. Prince Philip was born a Greek prince, and his family was not as well-off as one would imagine. In addition, upon deciding to propose to Elizabeth Philips mum, Alice offered to let Philip use the diamonds in the tiara she was given on her wedding day to create the band for his beloved. These are the diamonds we can see in the shoulders of the Queen’s ring.
The ring itself is finished with a 3ct centre round diamond in 950 Platinum.
It is also thought that Princess Beatrice based her engagement ring design on the Queen’s engagement ring.
Meghan Markle
Prince Harry initially worked with jewellers Cleave and Company to custom design Meghan’s ring using one diamond from Botswana and two smaller stones from Princess Diana’s collection.
Meghan’s engagement ring was a trilogy design. Above a solid Yellow Gold band. After the birth of their son Archie, however the trilogy design was altered. In conclusion, the ring was changed to a micro pave set shoulder design with a much more dainty feel to it sitting alongside her wedding ring and delicate eternity ring.
ALMAY / GETTY
About Emily Austin
Emily is one of our dedicated team members. She remains a valued member of our expert team and a part of the Serendipity Diamond family. Emily works on almost every aspect of our shop, from helping customers to updating our social media pages. She also takes care of many of our international deliveries, ensuring they arrive with clients safely as expected. Contact Emily directly by email or chat with her most days online.
