State Opening Of Parliament 2016

HM Queen Elisabeth II opened the Session of Parliament in the Chamber of the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. The Queen was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Cornwall, for the most ceremonial event in her calendar.

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The Queen and Duke left Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. They were escorted by the Household Guards and Irish Guards. HM wore the George IV State Diadem, which is worn only for the procession to and from the Palace of Westminster. The The Imperial State Crown traveled ahead in its own carriage, to be worn by HM upon arrival.

Upon arrival, the Queen used an elevator, rather than the ceremonial stairs, for the first time in 63 years, to get to the Robing Room. In the Robing Room, she donned The Imperial State Crown, collar of the Order of the Garter, and the Robe of State.

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The Royal Party processed to the Chamber of the House of Lords. The Queen’s Robe of State was held by the Pages of Honour; The Hon. Augustus Stanhope, Thomas Halle, Lachlan Legge-Bourke, and the Marquess of Lorne.  The Queen was attended by two Ladies-in-waiting; The Hon. Dame Annabel Whitehead and Lady Susan Hussey, who walked behind the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

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HM summoned the members of the House of Commons, before making her Speech. the speech is written by the Government, and does not reflect the personal political views of HM the Queen. After the Speech, which lasted 15 minutes, the Royal Party made their way back to the Robing Room, to get into their carriages, and back to Buckingham Palace.

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HM wore a white Angela Kelly gown, with Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Necklace and Queen Victoria’s Pearl Drop Earrings. For the arrival and departure, the Queen wore The George IV Diamond Diadem. For the Speech in parliament, HM wore the Imperial State Crown. The Duke of Edinburgh wore uniform with the sash of the order of the Thistle and the collar of the Order of the Garter.

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The Prince of Wales wore uniform with the sash of the order of the Thistle and the collar of the Order of the Garter. The Duchess of Cornwall wore the Greville Tiara, also known as the Boucheron Honeycomb tiara, along with her  Pearl Pendant Earrings , her Pearl Choker with Large Diamond Clasp, and Star, Riband, and Badge of the Royal Victorian Order.

There were a number of other bejeweled ladies present, including the wives of the Lord’s, wearing family heirlooms, and glittering tiaras. Lady Geddes wore The Hesse Turquoise Tiara, from the Hesse family Jewels, which included the Hesse Strawberry Leaf tiara.

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5 thoughts on “State Opening Of Parliament 2016

  1. I see only 3 pages of honour. What could have happened to the Hon. Augustus Stanhope for him to be absent on the most important day of his royal duties?

      1. I just watched the full ceremony. It appears that the missing page did attend, but was taken away just instants before Her Majesty emerged from the elevator and into the Robing Room. The other 3 pages were there for her arrival. Possibly a last minute ailment?

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