Governor George Fergusson and his wife took part in the longstanding annual tradition of picking Easter lilies for the Queen this week.

The flowers, grown by Manuel DeSilva and flown on Tuesday’s British Airways flight to London, arrived at Windsor Castle yesterday.

Bermuda is said to have been responsible for America adopting its trumpet-like white lily as the official Easter lily in the 1880s, when an enthusiastic gardener from Philadelphia brought bulbs home with her. Shortly thereafter, they were introduced to spring shows throughout America.

Ten years later, sizeable shipments of bulbs were being made from Bermuda to the US and England, and a lively trade soon developed.

Pictured are Governor George Fergusson and Mrs Fergusson, with farmer Manuel DeSilva and his children, Tiffany, Joshua and Catrina.