Today, the bouquet was placed on the grave of the unknown warrior at Westminster Abbey, serving as a powerful symbol of respect for all members of the military who have lost their lives in international conflicts since World War I.
This tradition began with the Queen Mother, who sent her bouquet to honor her brother, Fergus, a casualty of World War I, in 1923. Since then, Kate Middleton also followed this custom after her wedding to Prince William in 2011.
The Grave of the Unknown Warrior was established in 1920 by the Reverend David Railton, who sought to represent all the soldiers who died by burying an unknown soldier at Westminster Abbey. It is the only grave in the Abbey that is not stepped over.
The inscription on the gravestone reads: "Beneath this stone rests the body of a British warrior, unknown by name or rank, brought from France to lie among the most illustrious of the land, and buried here on Armistice Day, 11 November 1920, in the presence of His Majesty King George V, his ministers of state, the chiefs of his forces, and a vast concourse of the nation.
Thus are commemorated the many multitudes of who during the Great War of 1914-1918 gave the most that man can give, life itself, for God, for king and country, for loved ones' home and empire, for the sacred cause of justice, and the freedom of the world. They buried him among the kings because he had done good toward God and toward his house."
The Duchess of Sussex has sent the bouquet she carried during yesterday's #RoyalWedding to Westminster Abbey to rest on the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. More: https://t.co/pdFnYO1S49 @KensingtonRoyal @RoyalFamily pic.twitter.com/TnrCEl4M4u
— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) May 20, 2018
Meghan's bouquet was comprised of flowers that Prince Harry handpicked, including Forget-Me-Nots, which were Princess Diana’s favorite, along with sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, and astrantia. In keeping with royal tradition dating back to Princess Victoria, she also included a sprig of myrtle which represents hope and love.
