Best pictures as King Charles and Queen Camilla attend State Opening of Parliament
The King and Queen are attending the State Opening of Parliament.
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the Palace of Westminster today to attend the State Opening of Parliament. Their Majesties left Buckingham Palace in the horse-drawn Irish State Coach and arrived for the King to read out The King's Speech and set out the government's planned new laws for the next Parliamentary session and beyond.
The King and Queen's carriage was accompanied by a Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry as they travelled in the carriage procession to the House of Lords.
There were initial questions over whether the speech should take place after the "bloodbath" of the local council elections. Politico reported that top palace aides privately asked whether King Charles should proceed as planned with the ceremonial State Opening of Parliament.
According to those familiar with the discussions, the King’s team made clear to Starmer’s officials the importance of protecting the monarch from any impression that he is being used for political ends. “The Palace view is ‘we do not want to be any part of this conversation — do not bring us into it.'”
Here, the Daily Express have gathered the best pictures from the historic ceremony.
King Charles and Queen Camilla leave Buckingham Palace
King Charles and Queen Camilla left Buckingham Palace in the Irish State Coach, pulled by six grey horses. They were accompanied by a Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry as they travelled in the carriage procession to the House of Lords. The Irish State Coach – made in Ireland and exhibited in 1853 at the Great Industrial Exhibition in Dublin. The coach-maker was hoping to attract the attention of two distinguished visitors – and when Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert saw it, they bought it. It went on to become one of Queen Victoria’s favourite carriages and she used it often after her husband’s death.
(Image: PA)BRITAIN-POLITICS-ROYALS
King Charles looked at a band of the Household Cavalry as his carriage went past. As well as his carriage, the full procession also includes a carriage which carries the Crown Regalia – the Imperial State Crown, the Cap of Maintenance and the Sword of State. The ancient symbols of royal authority are being ferried in a carriage, Queen Alexandra’s State Coach, drawn by four Bay Horses. The Imperial State Crown – the famous symbol of the monarchy – is a working crown and is worn by the monarch at state openings of Parliament.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)Protestors hold up signs as the King travels to Westminster
Protestors from the anti-monarchy group Republic held up yellow signs along the King's route to Westminster, reading: 'Did you know?' Speaking for Republic, Graham Smith said: "It's inconceivable that Charles knew nothing about allegations against Andrew. The royals are one of the most secretive institutions in the country. They've been involved in a cover-up and the public are demanding answers. Parliament needs to investigate. Andrew has faced minimal accountability in relation to these allegations. Andrew losing pointless titles and being moved from one mansion to another isn't enough. That's why activists took action today. We need a Royal Epstein Inquiry - it's that simple."
(Image: PA)State Opening of Parliament, The Victoria Tower, Sovereigns Entrance, Palace of Westminster, London,
The Queen stepped out of the carriage first, wearing an embroidered Fiona Clare gown. The necklace was Her Majesty's own diamond serpent necklace, and the pearl and diamond drop earrings previously belonged to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. After they were greeted, the King and Queen moved to the Robing Room, where Camilla donned the George IV State Diadem and Robe of State.
(Image: Victoria Jones/Shutterstock)BRITAIN-POLITICS-ROYALS
The King and Queen walk through the House of Lords to sit for the speech. His Majesty removed his uniform cap to replace it with the Imperial State Crown. It contains 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, five rubies and more than 270 pearls, and weighs more than a kilogram. Among its jewels is the Black Prince’s Ruby – one of the late Queen’s favourite gems – as well as the Cullinan II diamond and a large oval sapphire known as the Stuart Sapphire. Charles also wore the priceless crown on his return journey to the palace after his coronation, but he was crowned in the 17th-century golden St Edward’s Crown.
(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)