Although it was Her Majesty’s birthday, Queen Camilla joined King Charles at the State Opening of Parliament as duty called.
This formal event is a centuries-old tradition in which the monarch officially opens each new session of Parliament.
This occasion came just 12 days after Charles appointed new prime minister Keir Starmer at Buckingham Palace following Labour’s victory in the general election.
Charles and Camilla traveled from Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach and donned their robes of state upon entering the Palace of Westminster.
The King wore the Imperial State Crown, adorned with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, five rubies, and more than 270 pearls, weighing over a kilogram. The Queen wore the George IV Diadem, dating back to 1820, featuring 1,333 diamonds and 169 pearls.
The King delivered his speech from the throne in the Lords’ Chamber, with the speech written by the newly elected Government – the first Labour one of his reign – outlining their agenda for Parliament’s new session.
The King and Queen Make Their Way
Their Majesties travelled from Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. The black carriage with gilded decorations is the newest in the Royal Mews. It has shock absorbers to stop it from swaying, and heating, internal lights and power windows.
It was first used by the Queen at the state opening of Parliament in 2014. The carriage is more than five metres long, weighs over three tonnes and needs six horses to pull it. Built in Australia, it combines traditional craftsmanship and modern technology, and its aluminium body is prevented from swaying by six hydraulic stabilisers.
Robes of State
In the Royal Robing Room, Charles and Camilla put on the Robes of Estate before making their way through the Royal Gallery. The King also put on the Imperial State Crown for the ceremony
The King’s Speech
Sir Keir Starmer said the Government would “fix the foundations of this nation” but “rebuilding our country will not happen overnight” as he set out his plans in the King’s Speech.
Among the issues raised in the speech was modernisation of the Mental Health Act, with the King stating to make it “fit for the 21st century.
Charles added that the NHS will be improved to be a “service for all”. There are also plans for reforms on the rental sector and a smoking age ban to be introduced.
Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak
The new prime minister and Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, and former PM Rishi Sunak were seen chatting ahead of the ceremony.
Starmer led Labour to a landslide victory at the 2024 General Election, ending 14 years of Conservative government with Labour becoming the largest party in House of Commons.
