Each June, the rolling green of Berkshire’s Ascot Racecourse becomes a stage for more than just elite racing, it transforms into a glorious celebration of heritage, elegance and bloom-filled beauty. Royal Ascot, one of the crown jewels of the British social calendar, is a place where sport, fashion and florals intersect in dazzling harmony.
From flamboyant hats adorned with blooms to wildflower-filled urns in the Royal Enclosure, flowers play a starring role, telling stories of tradition, prestige and now more than ever, sustainability.
A Royal Tradition Rooted in Florals
Royal Ascot’s connection with the monarchy dates back over 300 years, to 1711, when Queen Anne first founded the racecourse, declaring the land “ideal for horses to gallop at full stretch.” Since then, The Royal Family has made Royal Ascot not just a sporting event, but a living symbol of British culture and style.
Over the centuries, monarchs and their consorts have left their floral fingerprints on Ascot. Queen Victoria’s fondness for garden roses, Queen Mary’s passion for lily of the valley and Queen Elizabeth II’s impeccable floral fashion choices all shaped the atmosphere of the event. Her Majesty was often seen in colour-matched outfits and hats embellished with delicate blooms, blending botanical beauty with sartorial diplomacy.
Today, His Royal Highness King Charles III and Queen Camilla continue the tradition with a modern, meaningful twist; focusing not only on aesthetic but also on ethics. A long-time advocate for the environment, King Charles is steering Royal Ascot towards a greener future- including flowers.
Eco-Conscious Elegance: A Greener Royal Ascot
In a bold and welcome move, Royal Ascot is committed to working with florists who follow sustainable, eco-friendly practices. This means:
• Minimal Floral Foam, which contributes to microplastic pollution and promoting the use of biodegradable foam when used
• Compostable materials and reusable vessels for all installations
• No-waste policies, with leftover flowers composted or donated to charities and care homes. Silk, reusable flowers also being used much more frequently
• Planting over fresh flower, we’re seeing more and more planted flower arrangements, massively reducing cut flower wastage
Even more inspiring is their support for small, independent British Florists like ourselves Buds & Blooms Ascot and by encouraging the use of local and UK-based growers & floral artists, they are championing:
• Seasonal British flowers, reducing the carbon footprint of imports
• Local artisan businesses, many of whom use regenerative farming practices
• A more authentic, community-based aesthetic, aligning beautifully with the picturesque countryside of Berkshire
The Language of Flowers at Ascot
It’s not just behind the scenes where flowers shine. At Royal Ascot, floral fashion is as iconic as the race itself.
Milliners craft sculptural hats inspired by blooms, vines and petals many of which now use ethically sourced or upcycled materials. Whether it’s hand-painted silk peonies or dried botanicals woven into a fascinator, these floral elements are more than decorative, they’re tradition.
Pictured above Leonora Smee in a dress by 'The Modiste Uk' featuring lily of the valley motif's and hat from 'Vivien Sheriff'
Pictured below Lisa Tan in a dress by 'Dream Sister Jane' and fascinator from her own Millinery Collection 'Lisa Tan Millinery'
Common Ascot floral motifs and their meanings:
• Roses timeless beauty and nobility
• Sweet peas charm and grace
• Delphiniums lightness and joy
• Orchids rare elegance and refinement
It is not uncommon for guests to build their entire look around their headpiece, creating what is essentially a living bouquet in motion.
Pictured below Anouska Lancaster wearing a statement headpiece by 'Carrie Courtney Millinery'
The fabulous Millinery on show at Royal Ascot inspired us to cretae our very own bespoke hat display combining a bit of Millinery with our Floristry skills! Follow its creation on Instagram @budsandbloomsascot
The Floral Heart of the Event
While the hats dazzle, the floral installations across the grounds are just as breathtaking. From cascading roses in the Queen Anne Enclosure to wild arrangements of foxglove, hydrangea and lavender in the garden terraces, the flowers create an immersive botanical wonderland.
This year, expect to see:
• British-grown meadow-style displays evoking the natural beauty of the countryside
• Planted displays which are sustainable and will be reimagined post-Ascot
• A blend of soft pastels and bold natural tones, such as cerise pink, purple and sage echoing fashion trends and the landscape itself
What makes these displays especially magical is knowing that many were created by Florists & Growers in villages and towns across the UK, people whose love for flowers is deeply personal, whose work now blooms on one of the grandest stages of them all at Royal Ascot.
Our Part at Buds & Blooms Ascot
At Buds & Blooms, Ascot's Luxury Florist, we had the pleasure of designing florals for Royal Ascot 2025. Our work included floral pillars, bar arrangements, and a delicate bud vase on every table; each one designed to bring charm and softness to the space.
For our floral palette, we chose some of our absolute favourites; soft pink peonies, pale blue delphinium, a beautifully versatile sandy pink rose and delicate pink spray roses. To elevate the sensory experience, we added hand-picked mint creating a gentle fragrance that danced through the air and paired perfectly with the lush scent of peonies.
We thoughtfully selected a combination of flowers that would typically be found in our iconic Great British Gardens such as, hydrangea, roses, peonies, scabiosa and finally delphinium, of which the King has long been an admirer.
Did you know roses and delphiniums dry beautifully, we are planning on giving those used a second life and reducing our waste, the remaining elements will be composted because no bloom should cost our planet
Photographed above, King Charles at Highgrove in Gloucestershire with his prized delphinium
Final Thoughts: A Blooming Future
As Royal Ascot evolves, its love for florals remains but with a conscious twist. The decision to celebrate sustainability and independent artistry marks a new chapter in the event’s history, one where beauty and responsibility bloom side by side.
Whether you are sipping a glass of Moet track side or admiring the spectacle from afar, remember; every petal at Royal Ascot carries a message. Of tradition. Of innovation. Of wild, wonderful British charm.
For more of our Floral Adventures follow us @budsandbloomsascot
