THE KING AND QUEEN
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS REIGN
PUT ON A DAZZLING DISPLAY AT THE STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT
Their Majesties (above) arrive at Westminster in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, followed by the Princess Royal (right) in her ceremonial bodyguard role of Gold Stick in Waiting
The historic event was heralded by huge fanfare not seen since 2016
In a spectacular display of pomp and ceremony reminiscent of the coronation, the King was back in his royal finery to preside over the first State Opening of Parliament of his reign.
With the Queen at his side, His Majesty used his inaugural King’s Speech to pay tribute to his “beloved mother”, Queen Elizabeth II, on a day that included carriage processions through London, ancient traditions and almost 1,500 members of the military.
His speech – the first to be made by a King since his grandfather George VI in 1950 – came exactly a week before His Majesty’s 75th birthday and was heralded by huge fanfare not seen at the historic event since 2016. After that date, Elizabeth II had opted for a more low-key approach, at times wearing a day dress and hat.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh greet a young Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace after the first State Opening of Parliament of her reign, in 1952
Their Majesties – the King in his Admiral of the Fleet dress uniform and the Queen in
her Bruce Oldfield coronation gown – make their way to the Robing Room