Britannia's Blossoms
Step aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia and you’ll be greeted not only by the gleam of polished brass, but also by the gentle fragrance and vibrant beauty of fresh flowers, an enduring tradition from the Yacht's 44 years in Royal service.
During Britannia’s time as a Royal residence, a specially appointed Royal Yachtsman held the unique title of Chief Flower Arranger. He was responsible for crafting exquisite floral displays throughout the ship with great care, particularly in the State Apartments and reception rooms. These arrangements were more than decoration, they were a reflection of the occasion, the season, and the refined elegance of Royal life at sea.
To this day, the tradition continues. Local Edinburgh florist, Harvest & Green, now curates many of the floral displays aboard Britannia, sourcing blooms from sustainable Scottish farms. Their arrangements grace Queen Elizabeth II’s Sitting Room and the State Apartments, echoing the same quiet splendour that once welcomed monarchs and dignitaries alike.
Each bouquet tells a story. This week’s display celebrates Queen Elizabeth II’s fondness for ranunculus, with peach-toned blooms nestled among jewel-hued stocks, anemones, knautia, oak, and fragrant apple mint. Every stem is grown locally, from seed to bouquet with zero air miles, including flowers from Burnside Croft Flowers in Perthshire.
A recent arrangement aboard featured a delightful mix of white broom, butterfly ranunculus, orange hot ranunculus, purple lilac, aquilegia, white clematis, and raspberry foliage from the nearby, historic Granton Castle Walled Garden, a lovingly restored community space in North Edinburgh. These displays not only celebrate natural beauty but also champion biodiversity, heritage varieties, and sustainable sourcing, values shared by both Britannia and her floral partners.
In 2020, as part of the virtual Chelsea Flower Show during lockdown, the RHS encouraged people to share photos of their favourite flowers through the ‘My Chelsea Garden’ campaign, a celebration of horticultural joy and community spirit.
The Royal Family’s love of flowers is well documented. Queen Elizabeth II, a regular visitor to the Chelsea Flower Show, chose delicate lily of the valley as her favourite, a flower that grows at Buckingham Palace gardens and featured in her coronation bouquet. His Majesty The King chose towering delphiniums, which he has a particular fondness for, and flourish in the gardens of his Cotswolds home, Highgrove.
From Royal receptions to family holidays at sea in the Western Isles, the floral displays aboard Britannia continue to honour a cherished the beauty of this historic vessel.
Discover more about the Royal Family’s favourite flowers in the RHS feature here.
