Royal and Noble Jewels at the State Opening of Parliament – The Royal Watcher

The British Peeresses glittered in their Heirloom Tiaras (possibly for the last time) as King Charles and Queen Camilla presided over yesterday’s splendid State Opening of Parliament in the Chamber of the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster!

In addition to the Imperial State Crown, King Charles II wore Uniform with the Collar, Great George, and Star of the Order of the Garter, the Sash of the Royal Victorian Order, the Star of the Order of the Thistle, the Royal Victorian Chain, and his medals.

Queen Camilla wore the George IV State Diadem, a Diamond Rivière, her Modern Diamond Earrings, and Diamond Star of the Order of the Garter.

The leading Peeress present was Princess Antonia, Duchess of Wellington, who was wearing an heirloom Diamond Floral Tiara and a massive Diamond Stomacher, all historic heirlooms of the Dukes of Wellington. The Duchess is a great friend of the King and Queen, but was at the State Opening due to the Duke’s role in the House of Lords.

The Queen’s Companions were the led by her leading Lady-in-Waiting, the Marchioness of Lansdowne, who wore the spectacular Lansdowne Diamond Floral Tiara, which had been previously pictured on earlier Marchioness of Lansdowne, a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Alexandra, at the Coronation of King George V in 1911.

The other Queen’s Companion was Lady Sarah Keswick, daughter of the 16th Earl of Dalhousie, who wore a striking Diamond Fringe Tiara and a Diamond Necklace. While the provenance of the Tiara is unknown, it does appear to be similar to the Harewood Fringe Tiara, which could have been loaned to Lady Sarah by the Duke of Westminster.

Beside the Duchess of Wellington, you can spot the Countess Howe, wearing the magnificent Howe Fringe Tiara. The 7th Earl Howe is is a Conservative front bench member of the House of Lords and was the Deputy Leader of the House of Lords for the past decade.

Among the sea of Peeresses, you could several spectacular Tiaras in these shots, though it is harder to identify their owners or provenance, except for Lady True. This may be one of, if not the, last times we may see the Peeresses at the State Opening, as the Government announced:

Measures to modernise the constitution will be introduced including House of Lords reform to remove the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the Lords [House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill]. My ministers will strengthen the integrity of elections and encourage wide participation in the democratic process.

Queen Camilla joined King Charles III as he presided over the Official Opening of the Session of Parliament in the Chamber of the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London on July 17th, the second of the King’s Reign following the Coronation.

The Imperial State Crown, Great Sword of State and the Cap of Maintenance traveled ahead of the Royal Party to the Palace of Westminster in Queen Alexandra’s State Coach.

The King and Queen departed Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, escorted by the Household Guards and Scots Guards, followed by members of the Royal Household.

Upon arrival at the Sovereign’s entrance, the King and Queen will go up the ceremonial stairs, to get to the Robing Room, where he will put on the Collar of the Order of the Garter, and the Robe of State and the Imperial State Crown, before processing into the Chamber of the House of Lords.

The King summoned the members of the House of Commons, before making his Speech from the Throne, which is written by the Government, outlining their plans for the current session of Parliament, and does not reflect the personal views of The King.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, My Government will govern in service to the country.

My Government’s legislative programme will be mission led and based upon the principles of security, fairness and opportunity for all.

After the Speech, which lasted 15 minutes, the Royal Party made their way back to the Robing Room, to get into their carriages, and travel back to Buckingham Palace, where they watched a Rank and March Past from The King’s Door.

Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara

Burmese Ruby Tiara

The Belgian Sapphire Tiara

Greville Tiara

Delhi Durbar Tiara

Cubitt-Shand Tiara

George IV State Diadem

Queen Mary’s Crown

Greville Festoon Necklace

Coronation Necklace

King George VI Sapphire Suite

Modern Diamond Suite

Diamond Serpent Necklace

Turquoise Suite

Queen Camilla’s Chokers

City of London Fringe Necklace

Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation Rivière

South African Diamond Necklace

Prince Albert’s Sapphire Brooch

Queen Mother’s Diamond Thistle Brooch

Queen Mary’s Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch

Princess Marie Louise’s Diamond Sunburst Brooch

Queen Mother’s Rock Crystal Brooch

Queen Mary’s Celtic Knot Brooch

Queen Mother’s Cartier Bracelets

Prince of Wales Feathers Brooch

Queen Victoria’s Hessian Diamond Jubilee Brooch

Queen Alexandra’s Ladies of North Wales Leek Brooch

Greville Ivy Leaf Clips

Queen Alexandra’s Aquamarine Brooch

Queen Mary’s Emerald and Sapphire Flower Brooch

Queen’s Cartier Gold and Sapphire Flower Brooches

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