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Meghan Markle Sent a Touchingly Symbolic Wreath & Hand-Written Letter to Prince Philip’s Funeral

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While the Duke of Sussex joined his family in Windsor for the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duchess of Sussex has been forced to stay at home in Montecito, California, given that she is in the final stages of her pregnancy with the couple’s daughter. Yet, even from the other side of the world, Meghan paid tribute to the late Prince, both watching his funeral in the early hours of the morning and sending a carefully thought-out wreath to be laid in his honor in St George’s Chapel.

The Duchess turned to florist Willow Crossley for help putting the wreath together. Crossley famously handled the arrangements for the Sussexes’ evening wedding reception at Frogmore Gardens in 2018, in addition to sourcing the flowers for baby Archie’s 2019 christening in Windsor and the launch of the Duchess’s Hubb Community cookbook at Kensington Palace.

Each flower in the Duchess’s wreath for Philip holds special meaning, starting with Acanthus Mollis – known colloquially as bear’s breeches – the national flower of the Duke’s native Greece. Eryngium, or sea holly, was then added in tribute to his years of service in the navy, while roses were included as a nod to his birth month of June. She then added campanula for gratitude, rosemary for remembrance, and lavender for devotion.

Like the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Sussex released a special message honoring his grandfather following the Duke of Edinburgh’s passing. “He has been a rock for Her Majesty the Queen with unparalleled devotion, by her side for 73 years of marriage… Grandpa, thank you for your service, your dedication to Granny, and for always being yourself. You will be sorely missed, but always remembered – by the nation and the world. Meghan, Archie, and I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always hold a special place for you in our hearts.”

Read Next: The Royal Family Share Touching Never-Before-Seen Photographs of Prince Philip

Originally published on Vogue.co.uk

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