It's Queen Elizabeth I — but not as you've seen her before. The erstwhile monarch and other mannequins have been created using more than 10,000 flowers.
The National Portrait Gallery produced the botanical incarnation of its famous Ditchley portrait as part of Covent Garden in Bloom. The theme this year is floral couture, with local businesses going up against each other in the Fleurs de Ville competition, to create the best flowery dress.
Chocolatier Godiva, restaurant SushiSamba and West End show Wicked have also teamed up with local florists to produce a couture creation each. 12 of the installations can be seen in the Central Avenue of Covent Garden market.
Covent Garden in Bloom continues elsewhere around the area. A Land Rover has parked up in the Piazza, pink enough and flowery enough to keep the Instagram crowds occupied for weeks.
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Several businesses around the area host special events including flower arranging and floral fragrance workshops, and photo walks around the area.
Covent Garden in Bloom takes place 15 May-5 June 2019, although the Fleurs de Ville competition only runs until 19 May (these things wilt, you know) — so get to Covent Garden before Sunday if you want to see the flowery dresses.
