Armed Forces lead State Opening of Parliament ceremony
The pomp and ceremony that takes place during the event is an essential part of the State Opening of Parliament, and over 1,300 Service personnel…
The pomp and ceremony that takes place during the event is an essential part of the State Opening of Parliament, and over 1,300 Service personnel were on show in a variety of ceremonial roles.
The State Opening of Parliament marks the formal start of the next parliamentary session and primarily this colourful tradition is for Her Majesty The Queen to set out the government’s legislative agenda to both Houses of Parliament in her speech.
Elements of four of the Regiments of Foot Guards provided street-liners and other support, while an escort to Her Majesty was provided by members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
See more pictures from the event in the gallery at Related News.
In honour of the State Opening, gun salutes were fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Green Park, and by the Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower of London. Musical accompaniment at various locations was provided by all five Foot Guards Bands and by the Royal Artillery Band.
The General Officer Commanding London District, Major General George Norton, commanded the tri-Service military elements on parade.
The Crown Procession, accompanied by the Regalia Escort of the Household Cavalry, left Buckingham Palace at 1037 hours, arriving at the House of Lords at 1052 hours. It was followed by the Sovereign’s Procession which left Buckingham Palace at 1100 hours.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun Royal Salute from Green Park from the moment the Sovereign’s Procession, accompanied by the Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry, arrived at the Sovereign’s Entrance of the House of Lords.
After delivering her speech, Her Majesty returned to Buckingham Palace. She left via the Sovereign’s Entrance of the House of Lords at midday as the Honourable Artillery Company fired the first round of a 41-gun salute from the Tower of London.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, followed by the Sovereign’s Escort and Regalia Escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, and members of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, provided a Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace and marched past Her Majesty before returning to their barracks.