CAFRE’s floristry students were delighted to welcome HRH Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton to their floristry studios in the Walled Garden of Greenmount Campus. Miss Middleton chatted to the Diploma students about their work and put the finishing touches to an orchid bouquet designed by CAFRE graduate, Rachel Gibson.
Last year Rachel had represented the College in the Northern Ireland heat of the UK Skills Floristry Competition and had been invited to demonstrate her skills to this year’s full time Diploma students. She had not been told of the Royal visit until that morning so was stunned to meet the couple. ”They were lovely” Rachel said. “Miss Middleton finished off the ribbon handle of my bouquet and said how interested she had become in flowers with the wedding coming up. I’d made a little orchid wand to go with the bouquet and she said the flower girls would love it.”
Rachel Gibson with Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton
