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Prince Charles Kept This Tradition Alive at Baby Archie’s Christening

Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton pushed the boundaries of royal protocol at baby Archie’s christening this past weekend, but there was one royal who definitely had tradition on his mind. 

As with several other royal baby christenings, Prince Charles donned a Dianthus Devon Wizard flower on his lapel to mark the occasion. He also wore the fuchsia perennial to Prince Louis (1) and Princess Charlotte’s (4) christening ceremonies in 2018 and 2015, respectively.

Although the Duke and Duchess of Sussex opted to keep Archie’s christening a private affair, the 70-year-old Prince of Wales’s celebratory bud could be seen in the formal portrait released by the palace.

baby archie christening portrait
AFP PHOTO/SUSSEXROYAL/CHRIS ALLERTON

As you’ll notice in the photo above, Prince Charles is wearing a vibrant flower on the left shoulder of his navy suit, above his pocket square. An avid gardener, it’s possible that Prince Charles picked the blossom from the garden at his Highgrove House country home.  

Interestingly, Prince Charles also wore the flower in the buttonhole of yet another navy suit while attending Prince Louis’s christening at St. James’s Palace in London, in July 2018.

prince charles at prince louis christening flower
DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP/Getty Images

He also sported a Dianthus Devon Wizard while hanging outside the Church of St. Mary Magdalene at Sandringham in King’s Lynn, England, following Princess Charlotte’s July 2015 christening.

prince charles at princess charlotte christening flower
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The prince didn’t wear a flower to Prince George’s christening in October of 2013, but that’s likely because it’s a summer-blooming flower.

The name “Dianthus Devon Wizard” is derived from the Greek words “dios” (aka God) and “Anthos,” which translates to flower.

Los Angeles–based florist Amberly Brown of Flowerful Grace explained the symbolism of the flower to PureWow exclusively, saying, “The dianthus devon wizard, or as you might know it, a carnation, is in the caryophyllaceae family. A pink carnation, like the one Prince Charles wears, holds the greatest significance. It’s believed that they first appeared on earth from the Virgin Mary's tears—making them the symbol of a mother's undying love, or in this case, a grandfather’s love.”

With a vibrant hue and touching meaning, it’s no wonder Prince Charles marks summer christenings with the flower.



lex

Cat mom, yogi, brunch enthusiast

Lex is an LA native who's deeply obsessed with picnics, Slim Aarons, rosé, Hollywood history and Joan Didion. She joined PureWow in early 2017.