A FLORIST and floral designer who transformed St Asaph Cathedral for the King’s visit at the Royal Maundy Service has revealed what went on behind the scenes - and what it was like to meet His Majesty during the historic occasion.
Kate Jordan, of Tremeirchion and founder of The Craft Shed Flowers, was tasked with decorating the cathedral and liaising with Royal florist Shane Connolly for King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s visit.
The Royal Maundy Service saw gifts presented to around 77 men and 77 women, recognised for their years of Christian service to their churches and communities. Recipients were given Maundy Money by the King, including specially minted silver Maundy coins totalling 77 pennies, to match The King’s age.
Speaking about her involvement and the displays she designed, Kate, who made the 'winner's crown' for I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! in 2021 when the series was film at Gwrych Castle, said: "I found out the end of January and at first I felt, 'ok - that phone call wasn't meant for me!' so after that I got into touch with the Royal florist Shane Connolly. I had to pitch my ideas to him and he just rolled with it, and he thought 'brilliant' and it continued from there.
"I was given the task of designing everything and the King's initiative is all about sustainability.
"Normally, I work with cut flowers but this time, I decided to arrange with plants so that was something different for me. That was for the interior displays. For the window displays, I contacted local nurseries.
"Huw Jones, of Jones Premier Plants, was absolutely incredible. I had to keep it quiet and on the down-low - I just said it was an event coming up, and he said 'these would be blooming by then.'
"I didn't want anything too fragrant and I also asked the congregation to donate pots, so it was community event.
"All the plants on display are going to be repurposed and replanted in the Cathedral grounds and that will continue the Maundy story."
With sustainability at the heart of the project, Kate worked closely with a team of volunteers to bring the displays to life.
"I went with all the flower arrangers on Monday and they were brilliant," Kate said.
"They brought everything to life, I couldn't have wished anymore."
Kate also worked with another grower - Hannah Barrow of Violet and Daisies.
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"We used seasonal blooms. They were cut for me on the Tuesday and delivered on Tuesday. On Wednesday, I made them into the Nosegays and on the Thursday morning, I came in super early to finish them off.
"The stems were kept long to begin with so they could drink overnight and on Thursday morning, it was all stations go."
The King and Queen Camilla gave Kate their royal seal of approval.
"They just loved it that it was just so natural," Kate said.
"I wanted to keep the wild beauty."
Kate’s journey in TV floristry began at St Asaph Cathedral, when Songs of Praise was filmed there and the Dean put her forward to create the floral pedestals.
From there, she has gone on to work in London, on Chelsea in Bloom, as has been involved in projects across the US and Europe, and in TV and film.
The former Ysgol Bodfari and St Brigid's School in Denbigh pupil said there had been many “pinch me” moments, but nothing quite compared to working on the Royal Maundy Service, describing it as "without a doubt, the most prestigious event I have ever worked on, let alone designed for."
Kate was introduced to the King on Maundy Thursday and said the feedback from the royal household had been "incredible", particularly in recognition of how the community came together to prepare for the service.
Kate said: "We are a small community, but to quote the Dean 'we punch above our weight.'
"They were really impressed with what we had done."
On Easter Monday (April 6) a plant sale will be held from 2pm at the Cathedral. Plants from the displays will be available to take home - to be replanted, reused, and to continue the story of the significant event.
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