On May 13, 2026, King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London, England. The King delivered the King’s Speech outlining the government’s legislative agenda for the 2026–27 parliamentary session. This marked the third time the King has opened Parliament as sovereign. The ceremonial event formally marks the beginning of each parliamentary year.
At the State Opening ceremony, King Charles wore the Imperial State Crown together with the Collar and Star of the Order of the Garter, the Royal Victorian Order Star, the Star of the Order of the Thistle, and his medals. Queen Camilla wore the historic George IV State Diadem. Alongside the diadem, Queen Camilla chose her Diamond Serpent Necklace, an unusual choice as she had previously worn a diamond rivière necklace for earlier State Openings.
The Queen always look great in white and this dress is no exception. The design is beautiful and although it looks similar to her other dresses, this seems more flattering. Maybe the chest area is lifted so the waist is more defined? The flared skirt and length are also well cut. And the tiara is a spectacular cherry on top!!!
ReplyDelete"And the tiara is a spectacular cherry on top!!!"
DeleteDiadem. It goes all the way around the head. A tiara does not.
https://www.rct.uk/collection/31702/the-diamond-diadem RCT on the George IV Diamond Diadem.
DeleteEs dürfte sich um die George IV Staatskrone handeln, ein wirklich prächtiges und historisch relevantes Stück.
DeleteSabsi
Excellent comment, agree with you. The Queen looks wonderful
DeleteI wish her that she can soon change out of this beautiful, but obviously very restricting outfit - her posture (bent forward, shoulders high) tells a whole story about that and the crown does not make it easier. She looks overall very good, her at all times well groomed hair plays a huge part in it, but I have a serious negative point about that snake around her neck. I know she likes it, but it simply does not fit every outfit. Here, it ruins the whole neckline, if I may say so. It is not in the middle, but even if it was in the middle, displaying just a part of it is a very bad option with a necklace that needs to be displayed full if it should make sense to wear it.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the serpent necklace. Plus I don’t think the earrings compliment it at all. She has a gorgeous multi-strand pearl necklace with a diamond clasp which would have looked so much better. (V.M.)
DeleteI disagree, I think the snake necklace fits very well. It's the pearl earrings that should have been diamonds in my opinion. Overall she looks fantastic, with very good make-up.
DeleteI disagree, I think the snake necklace fits very well. It's the pearl earrings that should have been diamonds in my opinion. Overall she looks fantastic, with very good make-up.
DeleteThis light crown the queen is wearing really is superb!
ReplyDeleteThe white dress quite becoming.
The king looks a bit unhappy, maybe the crown is very heavy.
King and Queen look regal and glamorous, too.
ReplyDeleteIs this the new tiara which have been made for Q.Camilla, because she found the real one too heavy to wear ? The dress looks beautiful, but with the heavy coat Q.Camilla cannot stand up normally. She is benching forwards like someone who cannot walk right up anymore.
ReplyDeleteI can't understand this exhibition of richess when most countries are fearing not to have enough money to be able to function normally. In my country the government restarts to work on january 2nd each year. There are receptions in the month of january at the Royal Palace where the king is having his yearly speech. Besides we don't have a golden carriage and we don't have a trone either. Only an old arm chair which I think must be restored as quickly as possible, maybe it is done in the meantime, but since we rarely see it, it is possible that it is still not restored.
none of the items were bought new.. or even in the last hundred years. it is about continuity and tradition not riches. they are not building a new golden ballroom.
Deletecamilla has back issues and is in her late seventies so a little stooping isnt unnnatural
the tiara is not new and was previously worn by other queens
Delete@ Noreen
DeleteThank you for the explanation. I asked this because I read in the period of the coronation that a new crown had been made for Q. Camilla.
The Diadem was made for George the IV and has been worn in every reign since then. It's over 200 years old.
DeleteCamillas needs a new haircolour!
ReplyDeleteCertainly not.
DeleteIt is not an exhibition of riches but a meaningful ancient royal tradition. I am interested in whether it it is thought that the carriage and throne should be sold to create funds?
ReplyDeleteNoreen, a very unnecessary comment about “golden ballroom” on this blog.
ReplyDeleteNoreen, a quite unnecessary comment about “golden ballroom” on this blog.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how the crown of Queen Camilla stays in place.
ReplyDeleteIn the pictures from behind and above I cant see any "constraction" to keep it fixed.
Fantastic look for Q Camilla. I think white is her color. Pomp and circumstance, love it.
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I love the pageantry and tradition of the State Opening of Parliament. The Palace of Westminster is a beautiful building and so interesting to visit.
ReplyDeleteRegarding attire/fashion - I was trying to imagine how much time and attention to
detail it must take to get Charles’ uniform, orders, medals, etc. perfect for this event.
-Royal Watcher
Ce serpent au cou, je ne comprend pas. Ni le choix des boucles d’oreille. Josée.
ReplyDeleteBeaucoup de glamour dans l’allure du couple royal !
ReplyDeleteTime to say "Slan abhaile"...
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