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State Opening of Parliament

Posted by Susan T on May 10, 2022, 8:40 am

Charles and William opened Parliament in their capacity as Counsellors of State.

Charles wore the ribbon of the Order of the Thistle, rather than the Order of the Garter. And I'm no expert in regard to military uniforms, but I think he's wearing his Admiral of the Fleet uniform. Camilla appears to be wearing black.

Link: Daily Mail

Re: State Opening of Parliament

Posted by Susan T on May 10, 2022, 8:51 am, in reply to "State Opening of Parliament"

YouTube video. Speach begins at approximately the 1 hour 3-minute mark.

Re: State Opening of Parliament

Posted by Candace on May 10, 2022, 11:03 am, in reply to "State Opening of Parliament"

If you scroll way down in that article, Camilla appears to be wearing navy blue - not black. There's one particular picture with good lightening that shows the color better than the others. They tend not to wear black unless it's a extremely solemn occasion like Remembrance Day or something equally serious.

Re: State Opening of Parliament

Posted by stephen on May 10, 2022, 9:34 pm, in reply to "Re: State Opening of Parliament"

It was quite something!

Re: State Opening of Parliament

Posted by FrankS on May 10, 2022, 9:42 pm, in reply to "Re: State Opening of Parliament"

It sure was. I think the PoW carried himself very regally.

Re: State Opening of Parliament

Posted by Hollie24 on May 10, 2022, 9:45 pm, in reply to "Re: State Opening of Parliament"

I thought so as well. He's transitioning into his new role very well.

Re: State Opening of Parliament

Posted by stephen on May 10, 2022, 11:00 pm, in reply to "Re: State Opening of Parliament"

I agree!!!

Re: State Opening of Parliament

Posted by karenl on May 11, 2022, 12:05 am, in reply to "Re: State Opening of Parliament"

The Prince of Wales has proven himself as has the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke of Cambridge, this being his first Opening of Parliament, carried it off without a hitch. I hope HM is proud (I think she is.)
I think it's just me, but in some of the photos I detected a hint of sadness in the three Royals, not in every photo, but just in one or two. Charles, as well as Camilla and William carried out their roles in this important Ceremony of State especially Charles, but knowing full well there will come the time, it won't be filling in for his mother.

Re: State Opening of Parliament

Posted by Hollie24 on May 10, 2022, 3:38 pm, in reply to "State Opening of Parliament"

Wow, Charles in full regalia is quite a sight. I love Camilla's dress and coat. Its embroidery matches the occasion. I haven't watched the video yet, but I will. Is this William's first Opening? I don't think he's been before.

Hollie: State Opening of Parliament

Posted by Karen on May 10, 2022, 4:58 pm, in reply to "Re: State Opening of Parliament"

Yes, it's the Duke of Cambridge's first offical attendance at the State Opening.

State Opening of Parliament was a big moment in personal, historic and constitutional terms

Posted by Susan T on May 10, 2022, 7:25 pm, in reply to "State Opening of Parliament"

Article by Robert Hardman

Some snippets:

Though bare-headed and not dressed in robes of state – he was in his Admiral of the Fleet uniform with Garter collar and Thistle sash – he looked and sounded the full regal part. Of course, he was born to it. But he has now been playing an active role in public life for longer than anyone else in the Chamber yesterday.

He attended his first State Opening in 1967, before many of those on parade had even been born. Sitting alongside him, in plain morning dress, the Duke of Cambridge looked older than some of the MPs at the back.

There were a few other modernising touches, including the Duchess of Cornwall’s stunning navy dress, coat and hat. For the first time, the procession boasted a female herald, Professor Anne Curry, a medieval historian from the University of Southampton. From now on, at state occasions, however, she will be known as ‘Arundel Herald Extraordinary’.

The proceedings included the Household Cavalry’s first husband-and-wife State Trumpeters, Kate and Julian Sandford. Yet as their fanfare sounded, it did feel peculiar not to see the solemn, serene personification of permanence coming into view.

In the absence of the Queen, the authorities were keen to weed out anything which might smack of ‘regency’ (even if the prince’s presiding role as Counsellor of State was arranged under the terms of the Regency Act 1937).

The outward symbols were designed to stress the prince’s role as a deputy, not a replacement. So, the Queen’s usual position was occupied by the Imperial State Crown. She has not worn it for six years because the last few State Openings were reduced, dressed-down affairs for various reasons.

Link: Daily Mail

Symbology

Posted by FrankS on May 10, 2022, 9:41 pm, in reply to "State Opening of Parliament was a big moment in personal, historic and constitutional terms"

IIRC all Royal Dukes who possess both the Order of the Thistle and the Garter (as well as The Princess Royal) wear the green sash of The Thistle when accompanying The Queen, enabling them to wear the magnificent chain of the Order, thus emphasizing Scotland (I don’t believe it is correct to wear the chain, sash and collar of the same order, except for perhaps the Sovereign of the Order.)

I was hoping the Dss of Cambridge might attend, but that may have eclipsed the Duke’s role as Counsellor of State (the constitution requiring at least two Counsellors to effect an Act of State in lieu of the Queen). It might have looked too much like a Regency with both wives.

Re: Symbology

Posted by karenl on May 11, 2022, 12:34 am, in reply to "Symbology"

Good point, Frank. I'm just speaking on a wild guess, but not only looking like a Regency if the Duchess of Cambridge attended, we'll never know, but perhaps Catherine herself felt her presence would take the attention away from Charles. Go back to the Opening of Parliament when Diana showed up with the "new hairdo" and overshadowed the Queen and entire Ceremony. This just my speculation, it may have been decided that Catherine would not attend or planned in such a way.

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