State Opening of Parliament

The newlywed Princess of Wales joined the Queen and the Royal Family for the spectacular State Opening of Parliament in the Chamber of the House of Lords in the Palace of Westminster on this day in 1981, 45 years ago!

The Queen departed Buckingham Palace in the Scottish State Coach, escorted by the Household Guards and Scots Guards, followed by the Prince and Princess of Wales and Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips in the Irish State Coach.

Upon arrival at the Sovereign’s entrance, the Queen and Royal Family went up the ceremonial stairs, to get to the Robing Room, where she put on the Collar of the Order of the Garter, the Robe of State and the Imperial State Crown, before processing into the Chamber of the House of Lords.

The Queen was joined by the extended Royal Family for the State Opening of Parliament in the Chamber of the House of Lords in the Palace of Westminster before making the Speech from the Throne.

The 20-year-old Princess attended her first major ceremonial function, the State Opening of Parliament, and completely upstaged Queen Elizabeth II. The august Times of London cast aside all restraint this morning, printing a huge picture of her in white gown and tiara on page 1, and describing her in an article as ”a glamorous concoction almost beyond description, shimmering from head to toe.”

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duchess of Kent were also present.

The Queen wore the Imperial State Crown and the George IV State Diadem, as well as Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Necklace and the Duchess of Gloucester’s Pearl Pendant Earrings.

The Princess of Wales was wearing Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara.

Princess Anne wore her Diamond Festoon Tiara.

The Duchess of Gloucester was wearing the Gloucester Honeysuckle Tiara.

The Duchess of Kent wore her Pearl and Diamond Fringe Tiara.

The Duchess of Grafton was wearing her Pearl and Diamond Tiara.

The Countess of Airlie wore the Airlie Tiara.

In the evening, the Prince and Princess of Wales attended the opening of the “Splendours of the Gonzaga” art Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, before the Princess’ pregnancy was announced the following morning.

In the last three days, the Princess has been out late every evening. On Sunday night, she went to a concert at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, the birthplace of Winston Churchill, and later dined with its owners, the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. On Monday evening, she attended the opening of the 25th London Film Festival, and last night she was at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London for the opening of the ”Splendors of the Gonzaga” art exhibition.