LONDON, Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Flower sales are set to blossom for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II next week, as Britons rush to pay respects across the country.
Well-wishers descended on London’s vibrant Columbia Road flower market on Sunday to snap up colourful bouquets after Britain’s longest-serving monarch died last Thursday.
Thousands of people have already left cards, flowers, toys and other trinkets outside Buckingham Palace and other royal residences.
“It’s a lot busier than normal following the passing of the queen,” flower seller Albert Deane said at the weekly market.
“People are buying a lot of roses and chrysanthemums… that last well outside,” added Deane, 39, from beside rows of pastel-coloured hydrangeas.
Demand was “significantly high” in recent days, particularly for the queen’s favourite white lilies, according to the British Florist Association.
“I understand the queen was (also) fond of yellow flowers, so I thought I would pick up yellow lilies,” purchaser Caroline Roberts added at the market.
The queen embodied “stability… even when I was a little girl”.
The 57-year-old spoke before going to lay her flowers with her daughters at Green Park — a lush oasis located near Buckingham Palace.
French tourist Aurelie Morter, from Montpellier, was also buying a floral tribute.
“We wanted to make a gesture following the death of the queen,” she said.
Some predicted that demand for flowers in the run-up to the funeral will exceed that seen after the death of Princess Diana in 1997.
“When Diana passed away so many flowers were sold that week, it must have been the most flowers I’ve ever sold,” said Rosario Rospo, owner of florist OK Bouquet.
“Next Sunday, just a day before the funeral, it should be very busy, as we’re not too far away from the palace.”
Around 60 million bouquets were left at Buckingham and Kensington palaces after Diana’s death, in a floral ocean that remained in place for 10 days.
In contrast, British authorities requested this week that well-wishers leave flowers for the queen at a dedicated tribute garden inside the park.
Mourners are also asked to stop leaving non-floral objects — like balloons, lit candles, and soft toys resembling Paddington Bear.
Reports suggest that well-wishes have also been asked to refrain from leaving marmalade sandwiches in tribute — which the queen famously pulled out of her handbag in a Platinum Jubilee skit with fictional character Paddington earlier this year. — NNN-AGENCIES
