Trees from Kate and William's 2011 wedding now growing at Welsh farmhouse

Trees from Kate and William's 2011 wedding now growing at Welsh farmhouse — People.com
Image source: People.com

Six field maples and two hornbeams that lined the aisle at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s 2011 wedding at Westminster Abbey are now standing at Llwynywermod, a farmhouse near Llandovery in Carmarthenshire. The woodland display was created by floral designer Shane Connolly, who was recommended by William’s father, King Charles.

In keeping with a sustainable ethos, the trees were replanted on royal estates; after initially being taken to Charles' country home of Highgrove, the BBC says six of the trees are now at Llwynywermod, a home that was owned by Charles at the time of the wedding and is now owned by William as head of the Duchy of Cornwall, who rents it out.

Connolly was handed his MBE at Windsor Castle by Princess Anne on Jan. 13, an honor reflecting his long career supplying sustainable flowers for the family. He also designed the floral tributes for the 2005 wedding blessing for the future King Charles and Queen Camilla and curated florals for their May 2023 coronation, a job he called the "commission of a lifetime." At the time of the wedding Connolly told the BBC that field maples were chosen as a very English native tree symbolizing reserve and humility, while hornbeams represented resilience.

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