Britannia's Blossoms

A display of flowers including ranunculus, stocks and oak leaves.

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.

A Unique Royal Role

During Britannia’s time as a Royal residence, a specially appointed Royal Yachtsman held the unique title of Chief Flower Arranger, responsible for crafting exquisite floral displays throughout the ship with great care, particularly in the State Apartments. These arrangements were more than decoration, they were a reflection of the occasion, the season, and the refined elegance of Royal life at sea.

Continuing the Tradition

To this day, the tradition continues with local Edinburgh florist, Harvest & Green now curating 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.

Bouquets That Tell a Story

Each bouquet tells a story with every stem grown locally. A recent display celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s fondness for ranunculus, with peach-toned blooms nestled among jewel-hued stocks, anemones, knautia, oak, and fragrant apple mint. 

Celebrating Biodiversity and Heritage

Another 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.

A Royal Love for Flowers

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.

Uncover Edinburgh's beautiful cherry blossom season and the hidden spots of petal-perfection around the capital in our Springtime blog post here.

Back to Blog