Royal and Noble Jewels at the State Opening of Parliament

~ Saad719

The spectacular State Opening of Parliament earlier this week was one of the grandest events held in the United Kingdom for years, much grander than even the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla earlier this year, and so thus, we are examining all the spectacular Royal and Noble Jewels worn at the  State Opening!

The most spectacular jewel worn was the Imperial State Crown, which traveled ahead of the Royal Party to the Palace of Westminster in Queen Alexandra’s State Coach. The Imperial State Crown was worn for the first time at the State Opening since 2016, having been carried on a cushion for previous State Openings.

In addition to the Imperial State Crown, King Charles III wore the Collar and Great George of the Order of the Garter, the Royal Victorian Order, the Royal Victorian Chain and the insignia of his other Orders.

Queen Camilla wore her Coronation Gown with the George IV State Diadem, one of the oldest and most important pieces in the Royal Collection, which was made for a King and worn by six Queens.

The Diadem was paired with what appears to be Queen Alexandra’s Diamond Rivière, and the Diamond Earrings she wore at her Coronation.

Princess Anne was also present, wearing the Collar of the Order of the Garter and the Sash of the Order of the Thistle.

The leading Peeress present was Princess Antonia, Duchess of Wellington, who was wearing the heirloom Wellington Tiara, Diamond Earrings, and a massive Diamond Rivière, all historic heirlooms of the Dukes of Wellington. The Duchess is a great friend of the King and Queen, but was at the State Opening due to the Duke’s role in the House of Lords.

The Queen’s Companions were the led by her leading Lady-in-Waiting, the Marchioness of Lansdowne, who wore the spectacular Lansdowne Diamond Floral Tiara, which had been previously pictured on earlier Marchioness of Lansdowne, a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Alexandra, at the Coronation of King George V in 1911.


The other Queen’s Companion was Lady Sarah Keswick, daughter of the 16th Earl of Dalhousie, who wore a striking Diamond Fringe Tiara and a Diamond Necklace. While the provenance of the Tiara is unknown, it does appear to be similar to the Harewood Fringe Tiara, which could have been loaned to Lady Sarah by the Duke of Westminster.

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Among the sea of Tiaras, you could spot Baroness Geddes wearing the Hesse Turquoise and Moonstone Tiara, which was inherited from the last Princess of Hesse and by Rhine. On a previous occasion, Lady Geddes was described:

the turquoise and moonstone one (Tiara) that I later spot on Lady Geddes during cocktails at the River Room, attached – how sweet is this – by a little ribbon at the back.”

Another lady at the State Opening was a Lady wearing a suite of antique diamond jewels as well as a vintage style Headband from Andrew Prince.

You can spot several spectacular Tiaras in these shots, though it is harder to identify their owners or provenance.

    
    

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.

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One thought on “Royal and Noble Jewels at the State Opening of Parliament”

  1. The King summoned the members of the House of Commons, before making her Speech from the Throne, “Her” speech?

    Reply

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