The Princess of Wales outside Westminster Abbey
(Picture: PA)The Princess of Wales has planted a wild cherry tree in honour of the Queen outside Westminster Abbey as part of Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) initiative across the UK and Commonwealth.
Photographs released on Tuesday show Kate with a spade in hand at the Dean’s Yard next to a mound of soil, alongside the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, and members of the Abbey’s gardening team.
A plaque under the tree was unveiled with the words: “This wild cherry tree, a gift from the Duchy of Cornwall, was dedicated in memory of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
“It forms part of The Queen’s Green Canopy.”
The tree joins more than a million trees that have been planted across the UK in the Queen’s name beween October 2021 to March 2022, as part of the QGC initiative.
The scheme is being extended to include the full tree planting season, beginning in October 2022 and finishing in March 2023 following wishes from King Charles III.
The symbolic event took place last Wednesday amid final preparations for the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey attended by 1,800 people including the King, Queen Consort and other senior members of the Royal family.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were all smiles at the event, with their two children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, despite being the centre of allegations just hours earlier in Meghan and Harry’s six-part Netflix documentary.
Kensington Palace said the second carol service Kate has held is dedicated to the late Queen and the values she demonstrated throughout her life, including “duty, empathy, faith, service, kindness, compassion and support for others”.
Stars including Paddington and Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville and singer Mel C took part in the service.
Westminster Abbey has a unique bond with the Royal family as the setting of key milestones, including Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 , the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Royal wedding in 2011 and the upcoming coronation of the King.
