In the week that’s had Union Jack flags flying across the UK and a focus on all things Royal following the crowning of His Majesty King Charles III, Trinity had its own share of special royal-related moments.

Four members of staff attended one of three Coronation Buckingham Palace Garden parties, with the event on Tuesday 9 May honouring the work of charities, armed forces personnel and members of the public.

Trinity received the invitation thanks to HM The Queen’s Patronage. Staff that attended were selected from a draw after being named winners of last year’s Staff Excellence Awards, in recognition of their work.

Chief Executive Emily Carter was accompanied by Charge Nurse Maria Langford, and Simon Hall and Kelly Godfrey from the Retail team.  

They spent the afternoon enjoying the extensive lawns and gardens behind the palace, mingling with other guests including the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, before taking afternoon tea in the tea tent.

Emily Carter thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience;

“The whole event was organised like clockwork. There were thousands of people there – from charities across the country, servicemen and women and dignitaries from overseas. Despite the volume of people in attendance it was still possible to find quiet spots in the garden to enjoy the moment. It was a real honour to be representing Trinity at this historic event.”

Trinity was also one of the beneficiaries to receive a delivery to rehome some of the Coronation flowers used to decorate the interior of Westminster Abbey for the Coronation ceremony on Saturday 6 May.

The flowers, designed and arranged by Shane Connolly and Co, were sourced from across the UK, from The Isle of Skye to Cornwall and included 120 different varieties. Bluebells, violets, lily of the valley, tulips, jasmine and rosemary were some of the many species featured, all in keeping with the spring time Coronation service.

Royal Trinity Hospice received 25 bedside arrangements bringing pleasure to patients in their rooms, whilst several larger displays were placed throughout the hospice, thanks to the handy work and skill of volunteers from charity Floral Angels.  

Founder of Floral Angels Frances Hunter was thrilled with the news they would be helping to rehome the flowers which had been enjoyed by members of the royal family and seen by millions of people who watched the ceremony around the world:

“Floral Angels were honoured to deliver arrangements of flowers now recycled from the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. They comprised a huge selection of seasonal British flowers grown by the collective ‘Flowers from the Farm’. Our volunteers were delighted to work with these beautiful flowers as the Queen is Patron of both Floral Angels and Royal Trinity Hospice. It was very special to bring them into the hospice.”

Floral Angels is also a charity and have supported Royal Trinity Hospice for many years with numerous deliveries of floral donations, rehomed after major public and private events ensuring their colour, presence and aroma can be enjoyed for longer by patients under the hospice’s care.