This morning, the King and Queen departed from Buckingham Palace in the elegant Irish State Coach, drawn by a team of six majestic grey horses, as they made their way to the State Opening of Parliament.
Accompanying them on this ceremonial journey was a Sovereign’s Escort from the Household Cavalry, ensuring a grand procession as they headed to the House of Lords.
The Irish State Coach, a masterpiece of craftsmanship from Ireland, was first showcased at the Great Industrial Exhibition in Dublin in 1853. Its design features a rich dark brown exterior adorned with intricate golden scrollwork.
The coach was originally crafted with the hope of catching the eye of prominent figures, and it indeed succeeded when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert admired and subsequently purchased it.
Following its acquisition, the coach became a cherished possession of Queen Victoria, frequently used by her, especially after the passing of Prince Albert.
It was completely rebuilt after all its woodwork was destroyed by fire in 1911 and it was entirely re-painted and re-gilded in the 1980s.
The King is wearing his Admiral of the Fleet Royal Naval Number 1 Dress with cap and sword.
In the Robing Room at the House of Lords, Charles will put on the Imperial State Crown and his crimson Robe of State, which was made for his grandfather George VI’s coronation in 1937.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla depart Buckingham Palace to attend the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords
Queen Alexandra’s State Coach, carrying the Imperial State Crown and the Sword of State departs Buckingham Palace ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords
A view of the Chamber of the House of Lords ahead of the State Opening of Parliament
Members of the Household Division Foot Guards march outside Buckingham Palace
The Queen’s famous George IV State Diadem was worn countless times by the late Queen during her reign and was probably the most well-recognised of all her pieces of jewellery.
It is composed of four diamond pave-set crosses pattee alternating with four bouquets of rose, shamrock and thistle.
Set with 1,333 brilliant-cut diamonds, it was made for George IV’s extravagant coronation in 1821 and Elizabeth II usually wore it for her journey to and from the State Opening.
Camilla will be dressed in her crimson Robe of State, which was made for Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, in the Robing Room.
Following in the second carriage, the Glass Coach, behind the King and Queen were Camilla’s Queen’s Companions and close friends the Marchioness of Lansdowne and Lady Sarah Keswick.
They were joined by Master of the Horse Lord Ashton of Hyde and the Lord Steward of the Royal Household the Earl of Rosslyn.
Lord Ashton of Hyde is a former Conservative chief whip and he was appointed as Master of the Horse, a largely ceremonial role, by the King in 2024.
The holder in centuries past was responsible for the sovereign’s horses, coaches and travel arrangements, and today is titular head of the Royal Mews, which looks after royal vehicles such as state Bentleys and carriages.
Earlier, the Crown Regalia – the Imperial State Crown, the Cap of Maintenance and the Sword of State – also left Buckingham Palace on its way to the House of Lords.
The ancient symbols of royal authority are being ferried in a carriage, Queen Alexandra’s State Coach, drawn by four Bay Horses.
The King’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard carry out the ceremonial search
A member of Welsh Guards on The Mall ahead of the State Opening of Parliament
The King’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard carry out the ceremonial search
Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle is robed up ahead of the State Opening
The Imperial State Crown – the famous symbol of the monarchy – is a working crown and worn by the monarch at state openings of Parliament.
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.
The Crown Regalia arrived at the Houses of Parliament at 10.30am on a grey rainy day in London with a heavy shower of hailstones hitting the city.
It comes as the Government will aim to “restore hope” in the King’s Speech today with Sir Keir Starmer facing a battle to stay as Prime Minister.
Policies on immigration, green energy and reforms to special educational needs and disabilities (Send) schooling will be part of the King’s Speech, which will lay out the Government’s legislative priorities for the next Parliamentary session.
The speech, which will be read by the King in the House of Lords before MPs and peers, will also include new laws to make it easier to take action against state-backed groups such as the proscription of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
It follows attacks on the Jewish community in London in recent months.
On immigration, legislation is expected on restricting the use of Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights, an element that guarantees the right to respect for private and family life, which some migrants who do not qualify for a visa or asylum rely on.
The King’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard carry out the ceremonial search
The Band of the Royal Marines plays ahead of the State Opening of Parliament
The King’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard carry out the ceremonial search
The gilded throne from where King Charles III, sitting besides Queen Camilla, will read out the King’s Speech in the Chamber of the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament
New laws could be mentioned that would deny appeal rights to more people and establish an independent appeal body to hear claims currently considered by judges.
Leasehold reforms are expected to be in the speech as the Government said it wants to “give people more control over how they live in their own homes”.
The Government said the package of policies would amount to an “ambitious programme to break with the status quo”. More than 35 Bills are expected to be unveiled, including one to give the Government powers to renationalise British Steel.
The move was announced by the Prime Minister in his latest “reset” speech on Monday, after Labour lost more than 1,400 councillors in the local elections last week.
Sir Keir has since faced pressure to resign, or set out a timetable to elect a new Prime Minister.
Four ministers resigned from his Government yesterday, as Labour descended into chaos over his leadership. More than 80 MPs have backed his departure, while a letter signed by 100 of their party colleagues have urged him to stay.
The Prime Minister said: “The British people expect the Government to get on with the job of changing our country for the better.
“Cutting the cost of living, bringing down hospital waiting lists and keeping our country safe in an increasingly dangerous world.
“Britain stands at a pivotal moment: to press ahead with a plan to build a stronger, fairer country, or turn back to the chaos and instability of the past.
“My Government will deliver on the promise of change for the British people.”