FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS REIGN
PUT ON A DAZZLING DISPLAY AT THE STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT
The historic event was heralded by huge fanfare not seen since 2016
In a spectacular display of pomp and ceremony reminiscent of the coronation, the King was back in his royal finery to preside over the first State Opening of Parliament of his reign.
With the Queen at his side, His Majesty used his inaugural King’s Speech to pay tribute to his “beloved mother”, Queen Elizabeth II, on a day that included carriage processions through London, ancient traditions and almost 1,500 members of the military.
His speech – the first to be made by a King since his grandfather George VI in 1950 – came exactly a week before His Majesty’s 75th birthday and was heralded by huge fanfare not seen at the historic event since 2016. After that date, Elizabeth II had opted for a more low-key approach, at times wearing a day dress and hat.
CORONATION MEMORIES
This year, however, the formal start of the parliamentary year was marked with a ceremony that pulled out all the stops.
Their Majesties processed from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster in the spectacular Diamond Jubilee State Coach, pulled by six grey horses and escorted by the Household Cavalry.
The King wore his Royal Navy dress uniform as Admiral of the Fleet, while the Queen opted for her ivory coronation gown, which was designed by Bruce Oldfield and features motifs of her pet dogs Beth and Bluebell among the embroidery.
Her two Companions – the Marchioness of Lansdowne and Lady Sarah Keswick – travelled behind them in the Glass Coach with Conservative peer Lord de Mauley, the Master of the Horse, and the Lord Steward the Earl of Rosslyn.
For the first time, Her Majesty wore the George IV Diamond Diadem, with its magnificent 1,333 gems
The formal start of the parliamentary year saw a ceremony that pulled out all the stops
Following the
