Long neglected, legumes are now booming. Rich in nutrients, inexpensive, good for your health… discover the benefits of legumes.
Pulses (or legumes) are all vegetables in the form of seeds contained in pods. They include lentils, peas, beans and broad beans. Many varieties exist according to regional specificities (green lentils, chickpeas, white beans?).
Legumes are easy to grow and preserve. They must be rehydrated during cooking. Therefore, they are very cheap and can be stored easily, away from light and humidity.
Very rich in carbohydrates and fibre, legumes are closer to starchy foods than green vegetables in terms of nutritional value. They help you quickly reach satiety and avoid the urge to snack. As part of a diet, they will be a great ally to please you with good recipes while losing weight.
If you simply want to watch your figure and eat healthier, studies have also shown that eating legumes can reduce cardiovascular risks, obesity and diabetes thanks to their high fibre, vitamin C and protein content.
There are different varieties of legumes from different crops and cuisines. They leave you an incredible playground for cooking healthy and tasty dishes from all over the world!
Beans are the most widespread legumes in France. There are many varieties: beans from Soissons, mogette from Vendée, coconut, pink, black or red beans… They will delight all your dishes in sauce and your summer salads.
Green lentils are rich in iron and very easy to digest. You will find recipes based on lentils in traditional French cuisine such as “petits salés aux lentilles” or lentil salads. But it is in Indian cuisine that lentils have a special place. You will find many delicious vegetarian recipes such as Dahl.
Peas and split peas are best served steamed or mixed in purees or soups.
Beans, rich in protein and fibre, come straight from the Mediterranean basin and will enhance your salads or add colour to your dishes.
A star of the Mediterranean region and rich in carbohydrates, chickpeas can be cooked in many forms: cream of chickpea (hummus) as an aperitif, in salads, couscous or tajine.
No more excuses, (re)discover legumes, you won’t be able to do without them!
It is a massage technique that comes to us from Ancient Egypt (2330 B.C.). Reflexology has crossed the centuries and dynasties through India, China and America.
Reflexology is based on the principle that certain areas of our body (hands, feet or even the head) represent a cartography of the human body and that thanks to pressure points, we can rebalance our organism and soothe pain.
It was democratized in the 1930s by the American physiotherapist Eunice Ingham, who then took up this theory and verified the location of each organ on the foot by working on thousands of cases at St Peterburg Hospital in Tampa, Florida. She thus elaborates the cartography of the reflex zones that we currently know. It is only at the end of the 19th century that reflexology will arrive in Europe.
Today, there are 4 specialties in reflexology: foot reflexology (foot), palm reflexology (hand), ear reflexology (ear) and facial reflexology (face).
Reflexology will be of interest to anyone wishing to treat themselves without the need for medication. It will allow to relieve pain by treating areas of the body in an extremely precise way. If you have shoulder pain, for example, simply locate this part of the body on your hand or foot and massage the area in question. Several sessions may be necessary depending on the pathology.
It is also a great technique for a global rebalancing of the body. Reflexology will indeed make it possible to treat lack of sleep, irritability or overwork by stimulating the circulation of energy flows. This technique will allow you to obtain a global well-being of body and mind.
You can practice reflexology independently by choosing a dedicated book or go see a specialist. Some spas also offer reflexology treatments.
Find our reflexologies at Spa Aquatonic :
A good day begins with a good wake-up call, the awakening of the body. It does not take much time and you will immediately feel the difference:
Lying in bed, bring your knees to your chest and make small circles in one direction and then the other.
Sitting at the edge of the bed, with your back straight and your feet on the ground, make slight head movements from top to bottom and then from left to right, always returning to the centre when you move from one side to the other.
Stand up, bring your arms up and stretch, keeping your heels firmly on the ground.
Spread your feet slightly apart, legs outstretched, hands on your waist. Make circles with your pelvis in one direction, then in the other.
Still standing, feet at pelvis width, gently roll your head and then your spine until you touch your toes. Unroll your back in the same way, starting with your spine.
Your body is now awake and you are ready to start your day!
Learning a language is not just about learning grammar and memorizing irregular verbs, and this is especially true for young children. We know that children can learn a language implicitly, that is, by hearing it and, more importantly, by using it in real-life situations.
That is why children whose mother tongue is different from the language used in school quickly understand the everyday words and phrases used by their classmates. I’m sure you were all surprised at how quickly your children learned the rules of a new game and the expressions that go with it.
When children are learning new games in a language other than their own, what is important is that not only do they get to hear certain turns of phrase, they also get to use the expressions they have learned.
Try some English games at home. This is a great way to allow children to practice the language in a safe environment. In most cases, they use English without having to worry about syntax and grammar. English teachers know this and they use classroom games to encourage their students to use and improve their English. This is something we can easily do at home to help our children become more confident and encourage them to use the English they know and even learn more.
Some of the great classics are among my favourite games and, whatever the circumstances, they are always a big hit with children.
It is an entertaining game to learn how to tell the time and learn new turns of phrase. You can play it alone with your child, or with a group of children. However, you will need some space, for example a garden or a terrace. Before starting the game, encourage the children to repeat the question: ‘What’s the time Mr. Wolf? and provide answers such as: ‘It’s 1 o’clock/ 2 o’clock/lunchtime/dinner time’, etc., so that they feel comfortable when the game starts.
(you or a child of your choice) stands on one side of the playing surface and the other children on the other side. The children should ask Mr. Wolf: ‘What time is it, Mr. Wolf? and the ‘wolf’ should answer by indicating a time of day or part of the day. For example, if the wolf answers, ‘It’s 1 a.m.’, the children will approach the wolf by taking a small step forward. If the ‘wolf’ says: ‘It’s 2 o’clock’, the children take two steps forward. If the ‘wolf’ says ‘it’s lunch time’, the children have to run away from the wolf because he obviously intends to devour them for lunch/dinner or even breakfast. Expect to hear cries of fright as the children run away from Mr/Mrs Wolf! Believe me, once your child has learned this game, they will beg you to play it again at the first opportunity.
There are so many things to do in London that it can be difficult to choose, especially when you are travelling with your family. This guide lists the best places to take your children, whether it’s to tourist attractions, museums, theme parks or other activities suitable for young and old alike. Plan a great family getaway or bring out the child in you with these activities in the British capital. If you’re going to London for a weekend, check out Wimdu’s family-friendly accommodation to stay close to the city’s major attractions.
Children aren’t always thrilled about spending time in a museum, but many museums in London have interactive exhibitions designed especially for little explorers. Most of the city’s museums are also free, so it would be a shame not to take advantage of them!
The British Museum is one of the oldest museums in the world. Its permanent collection contains more than 8 million items, covering the history and cultures of man from the earliest times to the present day.
The Victoria and Albert Museum, commonly known as the V&A, houses a collection of decorative arts and ornaments from around the world within one of the city’s finest monuments.
Technically part of the V&A, the Children’s Museum has earned an unrivalled reputation as one of the best free activities in London. Its collection of toys spanning several centuries makes it an ideal excursion for children while playing on the nostalgic side of adults.
This museum is always a hit with children, especially thanks to “Dippy”, a 32-metre long replica of a Diplodocus skeleton that has amazed generations of children since it was unveiled in 1905. The museum’s collection of biological samples can also be used to awaken them to the diversity of the natural world.
By focusing on practice, this London museum puts science within everyone’s reach. Check the museum’s calendar to make sure you don’t miss any of the exciting events that take place regularly, including ‘Science Night’, where children can take part in a range of activities before spending the night in the middle of the exhibitions.
This museum, which is aimed at a wide audience, houses a collection of military artefacts ranging from the First World War to vehicles used by British forces in the modern Middle East countryside. The smaller visitors are often amazed by the planes, tanks and war vehicles on display, while the larger ones will be touched by the true stories of the people affected by the war. This is a good way to raise awareness in an interactive and playful way. Admission is free!
The Barbican is London’s premier arts centre. It is home to the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Shakespeare Company. The Barbican also houses an art gallery with regularly changing exhibitions and a public library with a fantastic collection.
This museum traces the history of the capital of Great Britain from prehistoric times to the 20th century, including reconstructions of street scenes and authentic period objects. Regular exhibitions focus on a particular aspect of London and the calendar is packed with special events.
This eclectic collection of anthropological curiosities was assembled by Frederick Horniman, the son of an important businessman who had a lot of capital to play with. The museum houses a fascinating natural history exhibition and a collection of musical instruments from around the world.
At first glance, one might think that a museum dedicated to buses, trains and all forms of public transport is not the most exciting thing for a day trip. However, thanks to interactive exhibitions and exemplary organisation, the London Transport Museum is able to bring the history of the city’s development to the forefront in a formidable way on an aspect that has concerned billions of people over the years.
We stay in the atmosphere of candlemas and go to England with the english crumpet (crepes anglaises), it looks a lot like pancakes because of their thickness and our Baghrir (pancakes a thousand holes) because of the holes they form during cooking. These crumpets are very easy to prepare.
We sprinkle them with maple syrup or like us with homemade honey a real delight.
– 425 g of sifted flour
– 1 tablespoon and a half of salt
– 2 teaspoons instant baker’s yeast
– 300 ml warm water
– 300 ml warm milk
– butter patches
– homemade honey
1. In a salad bowl mix the salt and flour. Add the yeast and mix well.
2. Add the milk and water to the flour and whisk until the dough is smooth and liquid, cover with a cloth and leave to rest for 1 hour (the dough will double in volume).
3. Heat a pan (a pancake pan for me), grease the crumpet rings and put them on the pan.
4. Pour a small ladle of dough inside the circles, let cook over low heat until the top is dry, at this point the dough comes off easily from the circles.
5. Remove the circles (be careful it is hot) and turn the crumpets over.
6. enjoy the choice (jam, honey, butter etc…), personally, I have buttered my crumpets while they are still warm and sprinkled with homemade honey, a real treat.
Steamed pudding is a staple of British cuisine, with endless variations. This chocolate version was one of my English grandmother’s favourite desserts.
If you don’t have a traditional pudding mould with an airtight lid, you can use an earthenware mould or a buttered foil-covered cul-de-poule instead, which is firmly attached with string.
A food processor or mixer will be very useful for this recipe.
Generously butter a pudding pan. Prepare the coffee and let it cool.
Choose a pot or pan large enough to hold the pudding pan and put enough water in it to reach halfway up the pan.
Heat the water.
Coarsely chop the chocolate and place it with the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on medium power (50%) until the chocolate melts, but no more. Mix well and let cool for a few minutes.
In another bowl, beat the eggs and brown sugar with a mixer until smooth. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the 2 mixtures and add the orange juice.
In a third bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and spices. Sift this mixture over the egg-chocolate mixture and fold in well with a wooden spoon. Add the coffee (cold) and vanilla, mix well, then pour the mixture into the buttered mould and cover.
Place the mould in the pan of hot water. Cover the pan and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat so that the water simmers. Cook 1½ h, making sure that the water level is maintained throughout the cooking process. Remove the pan from the pan, let cool for a few minutes, then unmould the cake onto a serving plate.
Serve warm or lukewarm, accompanied by light custard.
This dessert can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 7 days and can be reheated very well, either in a double boiler or in the microwave, one portion at a time.
France and England are two countries with their own customs, traditions and eating habits. Here is a brief overview of the specialities of each country: what you can taste during a language stay in England. You can also read our article on culinary discovery abroad.
France, proud of its culinary heritage, has many specialities and typical dishes, especially regional ones: beef bourguignon, bouillabaisse, fondue, blanquette… But although the English appreciate the many varieties of French cheeses and wines, they also enjoy a rich culinary heritage. One of the best known examples is roast beef, accompanied by different types of sauces and a variety of vegetables (or even Yorkshire pudding). Pork or lamb are also often served roasted, accompanied by an apple or prune sauce for example. Finally, the English prepare many typical and tasty dishes “on the go”, such as the famous “fish’n’chips”, a fried breaded fish accompanied by chips, or the “jacket potato” (or “baked potato”), a potato opened and roasted in the oven, and covered with butter, cheddar cheese, or even bacon slices.
France prides itself on its reputation as a pastry specialist. And indeed, numerous recipes for cakes and pastries more or less sophisticated contribute to the culinary richness of the country. But England is far from being outdone.
Pudding is the most classic example of a dessert, and refers to a cake with candied fruit, prunes or ginger. It is most often accompanied by another British speciality, custard. Crumble is another cake, which can be eaten hot or cold. It consists of a dough and fruit covered with a crumbled shortbread dough, and is baked in the oven.
Finally, the English invented a wide variety of biscuits to serve at Tea Time, such as scones, round rolls, sweet or not, or cupcakes, very popular little cakes in the shape of a muffin but with a different composition, covered with icing and sometimes decorated, accompanying their many kinds of tea, which they are particularly fond of.
Going on an adventure alone or with friends is often an enriching experience for young people. However, parents do not always agree and sometimes find it difficult to accept the idea of letting their child travel alone.
It is therefore important to reassure them through good organization.
Whether it’s a group or solo trip, going on holiday requires a more or less long period of preparation. Since parents generally do not like to be caught off guard, the best solution is to inform them as early as possible about your project, clarify your objectives and gradually convince them by offering them different options (destinations, means of transport, accommodation, etc.) for your trip, as well as various financing solutions. This is the right time to solicit them in both the organizational and financial aspects. In this way, they will feel involved and can more easily overcome their worries.
Whether you are a minor or an adult, the surest way to gain parental trust is to show maturity. As soon as the trip is announced, show your ability to be independent and responsible both in your studies and in your daily behaviour.
Having good academic results can also weigh in your favour. The most important thing is that they notice your efforts to become responsible. If you are planning to go on a group trip, it is important that your parents know who is involved in this adventure. In addition, you can introduce them to other parents to help convince them.
For a first trip, you should not set the bar too high. It is almost impossible for your parents to let you go to Australia or South America. Instead, start with a trip to Europe so that they can see that you are trustworthy. In any case, the most important thing is to step back and learn to live away from the family nest. As for the duration, you must respect the deadlines that you have previously agreed upon with your parents. In order to prevent possible problems with the local authorities, an older brother or sister in the group is always welcome.
Parents will tend to give you a lot of advice before you leave. Even if it bothers you or seems annoying, don’t take their advice lightly, because the slightest slip and you could spend your next vacation at camp or in your room! It is normal that they ask for travel and repatriation insurance to reassure themselves. In fact, a short message at least every twenty-four hours will not be too much to keep in touch and allow them to experience their child’s flight without panicking.
Finding the right arguments to convince parents of your ability to go on a trip alone is not enough; it is important to translate them into responsible behaviour and attitudes to really reassure them.
Do you have other tips to better convince parents to let you go alone or are you a parent who wants to express yourself? Don’t hesitate to leave your comments.
If you’re about to move to London with your whole family, and are wondering where your children will be happiest, this article is for you!
For a successful expatriation with your family, there are several criteria to consider: schools, supermarkets, playgrounds, parks… Of course, you also want your children to be safe, and you want the area to be rather quiet and convenient. Well, rest assured: London is a kid-friendly city and offers many activities, facilities and high quality schools. Yes, but then again, it’s not always easy to find the perfect cocoon and neighbourhood to live in with your family.
As always, Spotahome is here to help! We believe that these are the best neighbourhoods in the English capital.
Brixton’s a fantastic area. Cheaper compared to other areas of North London, you can also find a very large park full of playgrounds, where London families love to walk. Within the park, there is no shortage of tennis courts and other picnic areas.
Brixton is one of London’s favourite areas for families: your children won’t feel alone with so many toddlers, babies… and you won’t feel alone either thanks to the dozens of parents’ associations and networks that will welcome you with open arms if you’ve just moved in, looking for answers and new friendships.
Brixton is very well connected, notably by a highly developed bus and metro network. Many family events take place here every year, such as the Country Show and the Brixton Splash.
Hampstead’s big strength is the presence of many green spaces, such as Regent’s Park or Hampstead Heath. The neighbourhood is not only a very pleasant area for families to live in, it is also full of life, restaurants and all kinds of activities for your little ones.
Hampstead is also a very safe neighbourhood with high quality schools. If you have a more limited budget, take a look at Hampstead West, where housing prices are more accessible.
Situated near the Thames, Richmond is consistently ranked as one of the safest areas in London. There are plenty of green spaces, children’s restaurants, not to mention the beautiful Richmond Park, 2,360 hectares of land that even has herds of deer. Your children will love it! Don’t miss the Kew Gardens, just as enjoyable.
Richmond is very well served by public transport, making it a good base if you have to work in the city centre. Richmond also offers many private schools.
Sutton is one of the most affordable and family-friendly neighbourhoods thanks to its many green spaces and safe streets. By train, it will only take you 30 minutes to reach St Pancras station, for example. In Sutton, you will have the choice between different primary schools.
Trendy, chic but rather expensive, Notting Hill is the perfect place for you and your family if you have a comfortable budget. With many attractions for your children, such as the Science Museum or the Natural History Museum, it will be impossible for them to get bored. On Saturdays, a stroll along the famous Portobello Road market will delight your children.
Notting Hill’s schools are of a very high standard. Beautiful parks are within walking distance, such as Kensington Park or Holland Park. For Sunday morning picnics and family walks, go to Hyde Park!
As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will unite their destinies in a traditional English wedding, the American actress may be in for a few surprises.
Not only will Meghan have to get used to being a member of the British Royal Family, but she will also have to learn about the good and bad sides of an English marriage.
Every ceremony is different, but here are 10 characteristics of a traditional British wedding ceremony.
In England, there are no bachelor or bachelorette parties per se.
Instead, there are “hen dos” (for women) and “stag parties” (for men), events that normally consist of cheap air travel to a European city and drinking lots of alcohol.
The climate in England is not known to be particularly pleasant, which means that even if your wedding takes place in the summer, you cannot be sure to stay dry. Planning a wedding should therefore include a contingency plan in case it rains.
British weddings usually include a hat festival. The dress code for Harry and Meghan’s wedding should not deviate from this tradition. Hats are so much a part of British wedding culture that a popular joke is to ask a couple if it would be a good idea to buy a hat at some point.
An English superstition says that on her wedding day, a bride should wear four specific things. She must wear something old (which may have belonged to a grandparent or relative), something new that has recently been bought, something borrowed (which has not been bought) and something blue.
If some of the male guests have Scottish blood, they may choose to wear a kilt. Although some people feel that the wearing of this traditional garment should be restricted to Scotland, many people disregard this advice. However, we cannot confirm whether the tradition of wearing nothing underneath the kilt is respected .
In England, unlike other places in the world, establishments and not certain people can legally perform marriages. Some people who are not religious will therefore marry in churches. We can look on the bright side: British churches are often very beautiful.
For the British, the idea of a ceremony starting at 6 p.m. is inconceivable: it leaves very little room for drinking. So weddings often start at around noon or 1 p.m. Meghan and Harry’s wedding will start at noon.
Wedding cakes in England are traditionally fruit cakes covered with marzipan icing and small figurines of the bride and groom. Dessert is unfortunately often the last course to be served, after the guests have eaten their fill. Guests are usually given a piece of cake, but it will usually end up in the freezer.
For the English, the best man’s speech is rather embarrassing for the groom. Embarrassing or humiliating anecdotes are therefore on the menu. It is important to note that at this stage of the evening, the state of intoxication of the guests is usually quite advanced. The best man’s speech is also often very long.
The lunch following the wedding ceremony should be copious. This is why the guests usually opt for a typically English lunch. Sausages, bacon, fried eggs, potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes, beans, bread and tea are on the menu.
Wedding at the end of May 2020 for Princess Beatrice, certainly in full preparation, but what are the customs in force at the Court for several centuries?
Sitting in the carriage that takes them back to Buckingham on February 10, 1840, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were astonished to discover the compact crowd that had come to cheer them along the way. The timid Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland had initially proposed a discreet wedding within the palace grounds.
Her Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, who saw this as a perfect opportunity to establish the young sovereign’s popularity, preferred a ceremony in the Royal Chapel of St. James’s Palace.
It was also decided that the procession would take the Avenue du Mall, which links the two royal residences, so that the British could catch a glimpse of the couple -Albert, who had just arrived from Germany, was a stranger to his new compatriots.
This seduction operation was a huge success with Londoners. Henceforth, the unions of the members of the reigning family would no longer be private affairs, but great popular celebrations during which the public would be invited to share in the happiness of the spouses.
On 26 April 1923, the Duke of York – the future George VI – and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, a sparkling Scottish aristocrat, united in Westminster Abbey. The Earl and Countess of Strathmore’s parents, the parents of the bride-to-be, hoped to help organise their daughter’s wedding, but their hopes were soon dashed by George V and his wife, Queen Mary.
As the wedding was the first of a king’s son to be celebrated under these centuries-old vaults since 1382, the Lord Chamberlain and his staff took over. In order to keep the cost of the ceremony “under control”, the Sovereign refused to allow additional galleries to be built inside the building to seat more guests.
So many people were left off the list of the happy few for lack of space that it was decided to hold a party – almost three days long – in Buckingham, to avoid offending any sensibilities.
Almost 60 years later, on the occasion of the wedding of Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, and Lady Diana Spencer, Westminster once again proved too small to accommodate the 3,500 guests expected. The church service was therefore held in St Paul’s, east of London. At dawn, more than 600,000 people gather along the 3.5 kilometres that separate Buckingham Cathedral from Buckingham Cathedral.
Back at the palace, the Prince and Princess of Wales make the traditional balcony appearance and – a first in the history of the monarchy – exchange a kiss to the cheers of a huge crowd. In the Ball Supper Room, 120 people then share a fine meal of brill dumplings in lobster sauce, a Princess of Wales chicken supreme and strawberries in cream sauce.
In the evening, the Queen gives an “informal” party at Claridge’s in London, hosted by her cousin Lady Elizabeth Shakerley. At 6:30 p.m., a cheerful gathering of some 500 representatives of royal and princely families, family members and friends gathered in the hotel’s lounges.
After watching a film of the day’s festivities, guests will dine on simple dishes – sausages, beans in tomato sauce and scrambled eggs – which Princess Margaret will enjoy sitting on the floor with her plate on her lap. The wife of the American Head of State Nancy Reagan and Princess Grace of Monaco will dine at the table of Elizabeth II.
On April 26, 1923, guests at the wedding of the Duke of York and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon enjoyed a consommé à la Windsor, Queen Mary salmon supremes, Prince Albert lamb chops, Strathmore capons and Duchess Elizabeth strawberries prepared by the palace chef, Gabriel Tschumi.
24 years later, on the wedding day of the couple’s eldest daughter, the future Elizabeth II, and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, the guests will enjoy a filet of sole… Mountbatten followed by a partridge casserole with green beans and hazelnut apples, before ending with a Princess Elizabeth ice-cream bomb.
The more recent marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge brings its share of innovations. On 29 April 2011, William and Kate exchange their vows in Westminster Abbey before the eyes of 1,900 guests and over 2 billion viewers worldwide. The young people had dreamed of a simple wedding in the countryside…
Catherine Middleton and Shane Connolly, Prince Charles’ florist of record, chose a hedge of maple trees and hornbeams to give the nave a country look. Carefully chosen by the young woman, various seasonal flowers – lily of the valley, rhododendrons and lilacs, most of which come from the Windsor estate – give the religious building a little English garden feeling in the spring.
In an effort to preserve the environment, the trees will then be replanted in the grounds of the Heir to the Throne’s Residence in Llwynywermod, Wales.
The buffet offered by the Queen to the 650 guests of the Cambridge couple will be of resolutely British inspiration. The 10,000 canapés concocted by the palace’s chef, Mark Flanagan, and his team were prepared with local products, such as mini Yorkshire fillet of beef pudding – raised at Mey Castle, once owned by Queen Mum – and its horseradish mousse, lamb shoulder confit from the Windsor estate, Cornish crab salad blinis and English raspberry financiers.
The wedding cake, designed by Fiona Cairns, a baker based near Leicester, is decorated with 900 sugar flowers, including Sweet William carnations. The Duke of Cambridge also ordered another dessert from McVitie’s. This famous Scottish company, founded in 1830 and already in charge of his grandparents’ and great-grandparents’ wedding cakes, designed a perfect replica of his favourite chocolate cake for him when he was a child.
The private dinner served on the wedding night is signed by starred chef Anton Mosimann.
At 7 p.m., William and Kate meet some 300 relatives and guests for a grand dinner hosted by the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace, followed by an evening of dancing.
In agreement with the bride and groom, the heir to the crown called upon Table Talk, a private caterer, and the starred chef Anton Mosimann to prepare the menu, which, contrary to tradition, was in English.
All three dishes were prepared using seasonal organic produce – lamb from Mey Castle and vegetables from the Highgrove vegetable garden. After the speeches, the guests go to the Throne Room, which has been converted into a giant disco. A fireworks display will bring the festivities to a close.
The bridal bouquet of the Royal Bride has been laid on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier since 1923.
The next day, Kate will entrust her bridal bouquet to an officer who will place it on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the entrance of the nave of Westminster Abbey.
This custom had been initiated by Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who, before joining her future husband at the altar, had stopped at the cenotaph to lay her own bouquet of roses, lily of the valley and myrtle – since the mid-19th century, a sprig of this small white flowered plant has been cut from a shrub planted by Queen Victoria in the gardens of her residence at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, for all the brides of the ruling family.
With this touching gesture, entirely spontaneous, the young woman wanted to pay tribute to her older brother, Fergus, who died in France during the fighting in the First World War. Twenty-four years later, the future Elizabeth II will have the delicate bridal composition prepared for her by the florist Longman sent to Westminster.
On November 20, 1947, the union of the heir to the throne and Prince Philip should be celebrated with great pomp, but without excess because of the restrictions still imposed on the British, only two years after the end of the Second World War. 2,000 guests attend the religious service at Westminster.
Constance Spry, a well-known florist, placed vases filled with roses, lilies, carnations and chrysanthemums in the abbey – so many that her colleagues throughout the kingdom would later complain that all they had left to sell to their customers were tulips. She also decorated the lunch tables with white and pink carnations.
Each guest was presented with a small bouquet of myrtle and white heather picked from the Balmoral estate in the Highlands of Scotland.