Primrose Day, England

The anniversary of the death (1881) of British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield, the season in England when primroses (Primula vulgaris) are at their best. Primroses are placed on Disraeli's statue in Parliament Square, London today. However, it's all a case of mistaken identity.

There was a mistaken idea that the primrose was Lord Beaconsfield's favourite flower, since Queen Victoria sent them to his funeral with the handwritten note, "His favourite flowers: from Osborne [House]: a tribute of affectionate regard from Queen Victoria." (The conservative Primrose League was named in honour of Disraeli's presumed love of primroses.) And so the custom took root and flowers to this day ...

Categories: calendar-customs, uk, flower