Posies jostled for space in Kate's arms as adoring fans handed the royal couple Australian flags, soft toys, books and tiny Ugg boots for Prince George.

But while the little prince could chew on his books and cuddle fluffy wombats during the long flight back to Britain, what happened to all those flowers?

The duke and duchess' press secretary, Ed Perkins, said bouquets collected in the ACT in recent days had been taken back to Government House.

Flowers collected during the earlier leg of the Australia trip were taken to Admiralty House in Sydney.

Some of the flowers were then passed on to nursing homes close to Yarralumla, a Government House spokeswoman said.

Bouquets given to the duchess were not the only blooms to attract attention in Canberra during the royal visit - and some wonderful arrangements can still be enjoyed now the couple has gone.

Eye-catching arrangements at Thursday's Parliament House reception were put together by Braddon florist Moxom & Whitney.

Owners Loulou Moxom and Belinda Whitney were contacted several weeks ago and asked to create high-impact arrangements that featured native flowers and lots of colour.

''We looked at what Kate might like and she likes a natural look - she had all those trees down the aisle at her wedding,'' Mrs Moxom said.

Floral displays that covered four large plinths and lined the front of the reception stage featured banksias, billy buttons, wattle foliage and gum leaves.

Hanging amaranthus and vibrant pink and yellow orchids added shots of colour.

Mrs Moxom said some of the flowers were offered to Parliament House staff and those who attended the reception.

The remaining arrangements that could be salvaged, after many were damaged from heat and manhandling, would be donated to Barton hospice Clair Holland House.

Mrs Moxom said the opportunity to create floral displays for the royal visit was incredible.

''We're just so proud and honoured. We're all royalists here, we just love them.''