According to the BBC, royal brides traditionally leave flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey, a tradition started by Queen Elizabeth II’s mother, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. Elizabeth left them there at the beginning of her wedding, which took place at the convent in 1923. Her older brother Fergus had been killed in action in World War I in 1915, so Elizabeth made a gesture in his honor before the ceremony. But today, the bouquet is usually kept in the bride’s hands throughout the ceremony and placed on the grave the next day.
The tomb itself houses an unidentified British soldier recovered from World War I France. According to an article in Town and Country, the man was buried in a public ceremony with King George V placing a wreath of red roses and laurel leaves on his black marble grave. Bay leaves represent glory, and red roses mean love or, especially in dark shades, sadness (from The Old Farmer’s Almanac).
Queen Elizabeth brought other floral traditions around her grave even when the royal wedding was not taking place. The 100th anniversary of the burial of the Unknown Soldier was commemorated in part by a separate bouquet of flowers placed on the grave, the Royal Family said. This time it was a replica of Queen Elizabeth II’s own wedding arrangement, which included myrtle and white orchids.
