Her Majesty The Queen and Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall this morning attended the State Opening of Parliament in the Houses of Parliament where Her Majesty officially begun the Parliamentary year by reading the Government’s speech from the throne.
Despite the day of pomp and pageantry, the events do have both historical significance and significance in the modern day.
The Band of the Welsh Guards and the Welsh Guards themselves formed the guard welcoming Her Majesty to the Palace of Westminster.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall departed first from Buckingham Palace on the 12-minute journey and were seated (today was the first time the Prince of Wales attended since 1991 and the first time he has attended with the Duchess of Cornwall) next to the pair of thrones of the Duke of Edinburgh and The Queen.
The preceding coach contained the Imperial State Crown and the other state regalia for the day, including the cap of maintenance.
Prince Charles lost membership to the House of Lords in the 1999 House of Lords reforms, though was offered a Life peerage (but declined).
Today’s appearance of The Prince of Wales is a clear nod to the increase in responsibilities and involvement he is having, preparing him further for his future role of King of the United Kingdom.
As Her Majesty arrived, the Royal Fanfare was sounded and the Royal Standard raised above the House of Parliament. Gun salutes were also fired across the country.
The State Opening is the only annual occasion when the Imperial State Crown is worn by Her Majesty, usually avoiding its use because of its extreme weight. On the way to the State Opening, Her Majesty wore the George IV State Diadem, one of her favourite pieces.
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh both wore their Royal Navy uniforms and the Duchess of Cornwall wore the Boucheron Tiara.
With thanks to the British Monarchist Society for providing us with the photographs.