The tree joins more than a million trees that have been planted across the UK in the Queen’s name between 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 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced £499,000 of funding for the QGC partners supporting the tree-planting project earlier this month.
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 Princess of Wales planting a tree at London’s Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey/PA Media
The Queen’s Green Canopy tweeted a number of photographs of the moment, writing: ‘Amidst final preparations for the #TogetherAtChristmas carol service at Westminster Abbey last week, The Princess of Wales planted a tree for the #queensgreencanopy in honour of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.’
They continued: ‘Alongside the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, and members of the Abbey’s gardening team, Her Royal Highness planted a wild cherry tree in the Dean’s Yard, which joins over a million trees planted across the UK as part of the #queensgreencanopy. Westminster Abbey has a unique bond with the Royal Family as the setting of special occasions, past and present. Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Royal Wedding in 2011, the upcoming coronation of our Patron, His Majesty The King.’
