The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were joined by the Prince of Wales and Princess Anne at the State Opening of Parliament on this day in 1973, 50 years ago, riding in the Irish State Coach from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster.
The Queen wore the George IV State Diadem before changing into the Imperial State Crown with the Duchess of Gloucester’s Pendant Earrings, and Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Necklace, while Princess Anne wore Princess Andrew’s Meander Tiara.
The Queen had just returned from Australia, where she had opened the Sydney Opera House, which came just weeks after two extensive tours of Canada, all ahead of the Wedding of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips a few weeks later.
