State Opening of Parliament 1: 2002-2022

[tommy100]

Nice to see Charles and Camilla attending, its definitely a way to ease us in to the images of them attending this in years to come. Also I think its a good plan in case the Queen has to pull out, maybe Charles can take over without it being such a major step as it will be a case of "well he was attending anyway..."

 

[An Ard Ri]

That's great news. But i can not understand why they never do. At last Charles as Heir should always attend.

Yes it is indeed and I'm already wondering what jems The Duchess will wear!

 

[Iluvbertie]

Hmm..Glad that Prince of Wales is attending, whatever the reason.
Anyways Princess Royal attends almost every year, but then as The Gold Stick, and not as a Peeress..
I love those vintage footages of '60s when all four of them used to arrive together in the carriage to The Parliament..preceded by Kents, Gloucesters, Snowdons..

A major reason why Anne doesn't attend as a peeress is that she isn't a peeress. She is a commoner - can vote and stand for election to the House of Commons and has been able to do so since 1970 when the age was lowered in the UK from 21 to 18. Charles has never been able to vote as he has been a peer of the realm since his mother's accession when he became a peer as Duke of Cornwall. Andrew, Edward and William were all commoners until their wedding days when they were promoted to peers while Camilla, Kate, Harry, Beatrice, Eugenie, Sophie, Anne, Tim, Birgitte, Katherine, Michael, Marie-Christine and Alexandra are all commoners.

 

[Dman]

Pictures:
The Prince & Princess of Wales attending The State Opening of Parliament: 1981-
http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A0PDoYCAB1JRqBIAlmmJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DCharles%2Band%2BDiana%2BParliament%26fr%3Dyfp-t-900%26fr2%3Dpiv-web%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D1&w=589&h=594&imgurl=cache3.asset-cache.net%2Fxc%2F80727228.jpg%3Fv%3D1%26amp%3Bc%3DIWSAsset%26amp%3Bk%3D2%26amp%3Bd%3D77BFBA49EF8789215ABF3343C02EA548D14DF54FCD1BAC007AE0C5ED64A9B1926998687A43038B47E30A760B0D811297&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fshineyourlight-shineyourlight.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2F12.html&size=210.7+KB&name=...+%EB%8B%A4%EC%9D%B4%EC%95%84%EB%82%98+%EB%B9%84+%EC%82%AC%EC%A7%84+1%2F2+%3A+Princess+%3Cb%3EDiana+%3C%2Fb%3Ephotos+at+her+loveliest&p=Charles+and+Diana+Parliament&oid=b8268634a8bf1036cf32c662ad4c681f&fr2=piv-web&fr=yfp-t-900&tt=...%2B%25EB%258B%25A4%25EC%259D%25B4%25EC%2595%2584%25EB%2582%2598%2B%25EB%25B9%2584%2B%25EC%2582%25AC%25EC%25A7%2584%2B1%252F2%2B%253A%2BPrincess%2B%253Cb%253EDiana%2B%253C%252Fb%253Ephotos%2Bat%2Bher%

Picture: 1991:
Image Detail for - Princess Diana and Prince Charles at the state opening of Parliament ...

Video:
State Opening of Parliament: 1987-
STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT: | Archive Footage | ITN Source

You can see Their Royal Highness The Countess of Snowdon & The Duchess of Kent attending at 1:42.

Video:
The State Opening of Parliament 1981:
STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT: | Archive Footage | ITN Source
The Prince & Princess of Wales, Duke & Duchess of Gloucester & The Duchess of Kent in attendance.

Video:
The State Opening of Parliament 1991:
QUEENS SPEECH: | Archive Footage | ITN Source

The Prince & Princess of Wales in attendance. The Duke of Edinburgh didn't attend.

 

[PrincessofEurope]

I always thought that the heir should attend the State opening - so it will be good to see this happening again (wonder will set precedence for future years)

 

[wbenson]

I am actually surprised that Charles & Camilla will be in attendance. I thought that attendance by other royals pretty much stopped after the reforms to the House of Lords removed the hereditary peers. I wonder what this signals.

Anne did go at least once as just the daughter of the monarch (in the late 60s I think), so it's not totally unprecedented for a member of the royal family to go even though they don't have any formal reason for being there. Although I doubt Charles will wear his parliamentary robe like he did the last time he was there (1996?).

 

[tommy100]

I imagine Charles will wear military uniform like the DoE and what about Camilla? Gown and tiara or day wear and hat? Time will tell...

 

[cepe]

Looking back its military for him, and gown and tiara for her - replicating what HM and PP will wear.

 

[Dman]

Charles usually wears his uniform and in the robing room he puts his parliamentary robe over his uniform. I think Camilla will be in a tiara, royal family order and probably wear her Victorian order sash. The royals usually wear their regalia for this State event.

 

[Dman]

Statement regarding the State Opening of Parliament in May 2013:
Background:

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will attend the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday, 8th May. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will be accompanied by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.

During the present reign, The Queen has been accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh at every State Opening except for those in 1956, 1964, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1982, 1991, 1994 and 1996. Other Members of the Royal Family took part in the Procession in the following years (after travelling to Westminster in the same Carriage Procession as The Queen):

1956 – Princess Margaret
1967 – Prince of Wales and Princess Anne
1968 – Prince of Wales and Princess Anne
1969 – Prince of Wales (escorting The Queen)
1970 – Prince of Wales and Princess Anne
1971 – Prince of Wales
1972 – Princess Anne
1973 – Prince of Wales (escorting The Queen) and Princess Anne
1974 (Oct) – Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips
1975 – Prince of Wales, Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips
1976 – Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips
1978 – Prince of Wales
1979 – Prince of Wales and Princess Anne
1980 – Prince of Wales
1981 – Prince and Princes of Wales and Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips
1982 – Prince and Princess of Wales
1984 – Prince and Princess of Wales
1985 – Princess Anne
1991 – Prince and Princess of Wales
1994 – Prince of Wales (escorting The Queen)
1996 – Prince of Wales (escorting The Queen)
1964 was the only year in which The Queen walked alone (with the exception of March 1974 when there was a scaled-down ceremony).

NB This list does not include those other Members of the Royal Family who used to attend the State Opening and take their seats in the Chamber prior to The Queen’s arrival.
Statement regarding the State Opening of Parliament in May 2013

Queen invites Camilla to attend State Opening of Parliament for the first time:
http://www.express.co.uk/news/royal...tate-Opening-of-Parliament-for-the-first-time

"Prince Charles and Camilla will join the head of state and Prince Philip at the colourful occasion on May 8, in a resurrection of a tradition abandoned since the year of Princess Diana’s death".

"But royal aides insisted there was no grand strategy this time. “It is just that the invitation was extended and on this occasion the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were able to attend,” one said.

They did not explain why Charles, nor any other member of the family, has been able to join the Queen and Philip at the ceremony since the heir to the throne went in 1996".

 

[Artemisia]

Now, this is very interesting. Can't wait to see Her Majesty and the Duchess of Cornwall at the State Opening of the Parliament.
I was hoping we'd see resurrection of this tradition some time in future, possibly during King Charles' reign, but I am glad it happened a lot sooner.


The Duchess of Cornwall to accompany the Queen to the State Opening of Parliament

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will attend the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday, May 8. In a somewhat surprise announcement from the Buckingham Palace, it emerged they will be accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. While Prince Charles has attended the ceremony several times before, this will be Camilla’s first-ever State Opening of Parliament.

 

[muriel]

RICHARD KAY: Charles takes his next step as king-to-be | Mail Online

Charles takes his next step as king-to-be

 

[Dman]

Pretty good that Kay mentions that one of the reasons why Charles stopped attending the State Opening of Parliament is because the New Labour government at the time wanted to scale back parts of the ceremonial side of the event. I'm glad he's back to attending again and with Camilla. That's how it should be in my opinion.

 

[ladongas]

Ouch!

Could they have selected a worse photograph of the PoW? That seems almost as though they meant to insult him.

 

[Osipi]

Could they have selected a worse photograph of the PoW? That seems almost as though they meant to insult him.

Actually as far as pictures of Charles go, I think the one selected really sums up where Charles is in his life right now. He's relaxed, he's happy and has a certain sparkle to his eyes these days. This mood is generally what we see in pictures that are posted day to day. I'd much rather see this mood portrayed than a somber, formal, unsmiling Prince of Wales.

As the Queen, DoE, Charles and Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament, I think the picture taken of the four of them this year will be one that will stand out through history portraying the current reign of HM and the upcoming reign of Charles. Sad to say but there is no guarantee that it will be the four of them next year at this time.

 

[Spheno]

I think It will be the first Camilla appearance with tiara on tv. We saw her in pictures and short videos, but general public didn't. So It will be a tricky moment.

 

[NGalitzine]

Why do you think Camilla wearing a tiara will be a "tricky moment". Most people know or would assume she wears one on state occassions so it should not come as a surprise to see her wear one at the Opening of Parliament.

 

[Spheno]

Theres a big difference between knowing and watching.
And I doubt that many people know about state occasions' dress code.
We shall see.

 

[Dman]

The Live Coverage should be amazing. I think it will be the first time people really get a chance to see Camilla on a State event stage. The State Banquets coverage is pretty much private so she's not really seen by he public in her regalia as the future Princess Consort/Queen. Should be interesting.

 

[cepe]

Why do you think Camilla wearing a tiara will be a "tricky moment". Most people know or would assume she wears one on state occassions so it should not come as a surprise to see her wear one at the Opening of Parliament.

I think possibly because ignorant trolls will call it a crown and not a tiara. A lot depends on how the press react. I doubt that any of them will talk dress code,but Im pretty sure a couple will rake up pix of Charles and Diana.

 

[Iluvbertie]

Charles hasn't attended however since 1996 and his divorce from Diana so the significance of having Camilla attend something as important as this is major. The press will either approve or disapprove - and I suspect disapprove and encourage the public to be outraged.

 

[EIIR]

I don't think there'll be any outrage. Richard Kay might try it, given that he spent years as Diana's stooge, but I just think the public are mainly past it all. Most people will be at work when the State Opening is happening, and the news reportage of it tends to be concerned with what's actually in the Queen's Speech, policy-wise.

I'm going to throw this out there knowing that it'll annoy some who seem to think the whole point of female royals is to wear tiaras for them to ogle, but I think there's a possibility Camilla won't wear a tiara at all. I know it's traditionally been the case that royal females went the whole hog in the past, but I suspect there's as much chance that Camilla won't wear a tiara as that she will. She doesn't seem to be all that desperate to wear tiaras in public.

I don't really expect a tiara, so if there isn't one, I won't be disappointed.

 

[BrazilianEmpire]

I have a question:

f the Queen feels that she can't go to Parliament for the State Opening, either by old age or disease (Her Majesty is approaching 90 years old), the Princes of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall can go and Open it?

Seems very appropiate the Heir to the Throne and his Consort Opening the Parliament at Her Majesty's absence.

 

[Dman]

I'm not sure that Camilla will sit in one of the Chairs of State and on the dais with The Queen and wear a hat. Most likely she will wear a tiara. People will just have to get used to the fact that Camilla is the wife of the first-in-line to the throne and she's the future Princess Consort/Queen. This event is very important and she will one day sit next to Charles on that dais when he's King.

I do think in case of The Queen's absence, Charles & Camilla would Open Parliament on her behalf.

 

[GracieGiraffe]

Contrary to what the Palace may say on the matter, this IS A grand strategy and I'm all for it. Much like having Camilla walk with the Queen during one of the Jubilee events. I think support of Charles has never been higher in the past 20 years, it's time to capitalize on it.

And the grand strategy of the press will be to drum up as much press as possible in whatever the manner they feel it's likely to do so. Diana made them a lot of money; photos of her side by side with Charles at previous state openings is a given in all the papers.

 

[BrazilianEmpire]

Contrary to what the Palace may say on the matter, this IS A grand strategy and I'm all for it. Much like having Camilla walk with the Queen during one of the Jubilee events. I think support of Charles has never been higher in the past 20 years, it's time to capitalize on it.

I agree, Gracie.

It's time to end with all this Princess Consort nonsense, because the Duchess of Cornwall has the right to be Queen.

 

[vkrish]

I think support of Charles has never been higher in the past 20 years, it's time to capitalize on it.

I think Charles has entered that stage of his life where there will be hardly any criticism..The Queen entered that stage only after '97 (much later than Charles, but then Charles entered the "getting bashed anyways" stage in his 30s itself, far earlier than his mother).. From now The Cambridges will start taking the brunt, I guess

It's time to end with all this Princess Consort nonsense, because the Duchess of Cornwall has the right to be Queen.

Exactly, and I HATE Charles for stating all this nonsense in the first place

 

[Dman]

It's going to be beautiful to see The Prince of Wales & Duchess of Cornwall beside The Queen & Duke of Edinburgh in their regalia on this State occasion. I hope William & Catherine and Harry start attending at some point. Bringing forward the future of the Monarchy is a very smart idea.

 

[BrazilianEmpire]

I think Charles has entered that stage of his life where there will be hardly any criticism..The Queen entered that stage only after '97 (much later than Charles, but then Charles entered the "getting bashed anyways" stage in his 30s itself, far earlier than his mother).. From now The Cambridges will start taking the brunt, I guess

That always happens. Royals are adored when they're young and when they're old.

Charles will be a very popular King, ascending at old age, just like King Edward VII.

 

[BrazilianEmpire]

It's going to be beautiful to see The Prince of Wales & Duchess of Cornwall beside The Queen & Duke of Edinburgh in their regalia on this State occasion. I hope William & Catherine and Harry start attending at some point. Bringing forward the future of the Monarchy is a very smart idea.

Yes, it's time to see a Royal procession in the State Opening of the Parliament again.

I wonder when we'll see the Duchess of Cambridge wearing a tiara.