Queen Camilla joined King Charles III as he presided over the Official Opening of the Session of Parliament in the Chamber of the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London on November 7th. This is the first ‘full dress’ State Opening of Parliament since 2019, and the first of the King’s Reign following his Coronation.
The Imperial State Crown, Great Sword of State and the Cap of Maintenance traveled ahead of the Royal Party to the Palace of Westminster in Queen Alexandra’s State Coach.
Scenes from King Charles III and Queen Camilla's first State Opening of Parliament. #StateOpeningofParliament
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— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) November 7, 2023
Scenes from King Charles III and Queen Camilla's first State Opening of Parliament. #StateOpeningofParliament
🔗https://t.co/ELo7MHmQ9Wpic.twitter.com/RnzH08YD3C
King Charles and Queen Camilla depart Buckingham Palace for the State Opening of Parliament today!
🔗 https://t.co/Hrt9ngKrSnpic.twitter.com/O2UIlETJOJ
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) November 7, 2023
King Charles and Queen Camilla depart Buckingham Palace for the State Opening of Parliament today!
🔗 https://t.co/Hrt9ngKrSnpic.twitter.com/O2UIlETJOJ
The King and Queen departed Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, escorted by the Household Guards and Scots Guards, followed by members of the Royal Household, and preceded by the Princess Royal.
Upon arrival at the Sovereign’s entrance, the King and Queen went the ceremonial stairs, to get to the Robing Room, where he put on the Collar of the Order of the Garter, and the Robe of State and the Imperial State Crown, before processing into the Chamber of the House of Lords.
The King summoned the members of the House of Commons, before making her Speech from the Throne, which is written by the Government, outlining their plans for the current session of Parliament, and does not reflect the personal views of The King. After the Speech, which lasted 15 minutes, the Royal Party made their way back to the Robing Room, to get into their carriages, and travel back to Buckingham Palace.
The King wore Uniform with the Collar and Star of the Order of the Garter, the Royal Victorian Order, the Star of the Order of the Thistle, and his medals.
Queen Camilla wore her Coronation gown with the George IV State Diadem (for the first time), Queen Alexandra’s Diamond Riviere, and her Coronation Earrings.
Princess Antonia, Duchess of Wellington wearing the Wellington Tiara and the Duchess of Wellington’s Diamond Earrings
Baroness Geddes wearing the Hesse Turquoise and Moonstone Tiara
The Queen’s Companions were the Marchioness of Lansdowne (wearing the Lansdowne Tiara) and Lady Sarah Keswick, daughter of the Earl of Dalhousie.
Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace
Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
Coronation Service at St Giles’ Cathedral
British State Visit to FranceThe King and Queen marked the first anniversary of the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle, which marks a busy first year of the King’s Reign that began with the Queen’s Funeral, followed by Remembrance Sunday, the South African State Visit, the Diplomatic Reception, Christmas at Sandringham, the Commonwealth Day Service, State Visit to Germany, Easter at Windsor Castle, the Coronation and Coronation Concert, Trooping the Colour, the Order of the Garter Service, Royal Ascot, and the Coronation Service at St Giles’ Cathedral, as well as the First Anniversary of the Death of Queen Elizabeth II, and the British State Visit to France.
I was very pleased the Queen rework her Coronation gown and donned the George IV Diadem. Although to be honest it doesn’t look as good on her as it did on the late Queen – Camilla looks better in a more open tiara I think.