The Secret World of Royal Florists
Behind every royal wedding bouquet, palace banquet, and state ceremony lies a hidden world of artistry and tradition: the royal florist. These are the designers and suppliers entrusted with the blooms that set the stage for monarchy’s most memorable moments. Their craft is not just about beauty—it’s about symbolism, heritage, and absolute perfection.
What Makes a Florist “Royal”?
A royal florist is more than just a purveyor of pretty arrangements. The title can mean several things:
Royal Warrant Holder – Officially appointed as a supplier to the royal household.
Court Florist – Responsible for palace events, ceremonies, and grand displays.
Ceremonial Florist – Makers of traditional bouquets or nosegays tied to centuries-old rituals.
What they all share is a reputation for excellence, discretion, and the ability to create floral works that resonate with history and pageantry.
The Path to Royal Recognition
Becoming a royal florist doesn’t happen overnight. It requires:
Years of consistent, high-quality service.
Craftsmanship that balances innovation with tradition.
Reliability at both intimate and grand scales.
A sensitivity to symbolism and national identity.
Sometimes, formal recognition through a Royal Warrant or “Purveyor to the Court” title.
Royal Florists Around the World
United Kingdom
Moyses Stevens – Founded in 1876, this London florist is famed for both luxury arrangements and large-scale royal events.
Rosemary Hughes – Known for crafting nosegays used in the Maundy service, a floral role steeped in deep tradition.
Smith & Green – A wholesale florist supplying other designers, highlighting the behind-the-scenes network of royal floristry.
Netherlands
Oogenlust Uden – Awarded a Royal Title for its innovative, sustainable floral artistry.
Hofland Flowering Plants – A grower recognized as Purveyor to the Royal Court, showing that royal floristry includes growers as well as arrangers.
Sweden
Court Florist Claes Carlsson – Renowned for seasonal palace installations at Drottningholm and Stockholm Palace, incorporating native flora.
Belgium
Spruyt-Van Der Jeugd – A plant nursery honored as supplier to the royal house.
Sören Van Laer – A floral designer who transforms palace interiors with vast, colorful displays.
Flowers of Tradition
Royal floristry is as much about symbolism as it is about design. Some examples:
Maundy Nosegays (UK) – Fragrant bouquets of herbs and flowers, presented in the annual Maundy Thursday service.
Royal Myrtle (Sweden) – A sprig of myrtle has been carried by Swedish royal brides since the 19th century.
Coronation Florals (UK) – For King Charles III’s coronation, flowers were sourced from across the country, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and national identity.
Palace Displays (Belgium) – Public exhibitions featuring thousands of locally grown blooms, often donated or repurposed after celebrations.
The Art of Royal Floristry
To work at this level means more than arranging flowers. It requires:
Knowledge of protocol – The right flowers, colors, and meanings for each occasion.
Flawless execution – Delivering at scale, on time, and in perfect condition.
Sustainability – A growing priority, with many royal events emphasizing local and seasonal sourcing.
Discretion – A trusted presence in the private world of palaces and ceremonies.
Royal florists are the unsung artists of monarchy, weaving nature, history, and culture into every bouquet. They remind us that flowers are never just decoration—they are storytelling in bloom.
