Tiaras, trumpets and tradition as pomp and pageantry take centre stage for day
GLITTERING TIARAS, scarlet ermine-trimmed robes and a trumpet fanfare all before lunchtime were among the highlights of yesterday’s tradition-steeped ceremony as the full pomp and pageantry of Westminster were shown off to the world.
Peers, foreign dignitaries and invited guests were in their places in the House of Lords well before the start of the the glitzy Westminster theatre that accompanies the State Opening of Parliament.
Among those watching from the gallery above were Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s partner, Carrie Symonds, and his father, Stanley. Air kisses were exchanged and excited chatter ebbed and flowed on the red benches as expectation grew.
The sense of occasion, at least on the surface, seemed to offer a brief respite from the current political turmoil and deep divisions over Brexit. Powerful lighting
brought in for the TV cameras banished the shadows and added to the film-set appearance of the ceremonial stage.
Progress of the royal procession
A description of the scenes ahead of the State Opening of Parliament.
from Buckingham Palace could be viewed on screens inside the upper chamber, increasing the feeling of anticipation.
Outside, the parliamentary ballet was in full swing, with the arrival of the crown and other ceremonial trappings including the Cap of Maintenance and Sword of State.
The fairytale feel to the proceedings was underlined by the official titles of those taking part, from the Rouge Dragon Pursuivant and Maltravers Herald Extraordinary to the Clarenceux King of Arms.
And so the flamboyant stage was set for the arrival of the Queen, her royal train carried by four pages, in full ceremonial regalia. Taking her seat on the throne, the monarch, dressed in a jewelled white gown, was flanked by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
There was then a silence-laden pause as Black Rod was sent to summon the Commons Speaker and MPs to the Lords.
On their arrival, the bewigged Lord High Chancellor, Robert Buckland, presented the speech to the Queen for her to read out.
The eyebrows of some ceremonial sticklers will have been raised that the Justice Secretary turned his back on the monarch to go down the steps from the throne rather than descend backwards.
If there was a breach of protocol, the Queen showed no sign of it and in a level, calm voice laid out the Government’s proposed agenda. Within 10 minutes the speech was over and the monarch had departed the chamber.
And so the flamboyant stage was set for the arrival of the Queen.