SNP MPs wear 'white rose of Scotland' for Queen's Speech

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The Scottish National Party's 56 MPs wore the 'little white rose of Scotland' in Parliament Credit: House of Commons

A 'sharp and sweet' smell filled the House of Commons chambers today as all 56 Scottish National Party (SNP) MPs wore the 'white rose of Scotland' for the Queen's Speech and state opening.

The SNP said the flower, which is known as a nationalist symbol, was being worn in homage to famous Scottish poet Hugh MacDiarmid who wrote the poem 'The Little White Rose of Scotland'.

SNP MP Angus Robertson proudly wearing his white rose in Parliament. Credit: House of Commons
Alex Salmond also wore a white rose during the debate on the Queen's Speech. Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

Before the speech SNP MPs took to Twitter to explain why they were wearing the garland.