King Charles gifts Princess Anne 'fantastic' role in today's State Opening of Parliament

King Charles gifts Princess Anne 'fantastic' role in today's State Opening of Parliament

GETTY
Dorothy Reddin

By Dorothy Reddin


Published: 07/11/2023

- 11:35

Updated: 07/11/2023

- 12:45

The Princess Royal played a siginficant role in The House of Lords today

King Charles gave Princess Anne a "fantastic" role in his first State Opening of Parliament speech as monarch today.

To award the Princess Royal's loyalty, she featured in today's procession as the “Gold-Stick-in-Waiting”.


Whoever holds this position is entrusted with the personal safety of King Charles III.

This was not the first time that Princess Anne had carried out this significant role.

WATCH NOW: King's Speech in full

For the King's coronation back in May, the princess rode on horseback as the monarch's personal bodyguard.

Today, she travelled in a carriage behind King Charles and Queen Camilla as the procession made its way to the Houses of Parliament.

This was the first time Princess Anne had entered the chamber alongside her brother since 1985.

The State Opening of Parliament marks the start of the parliamentary year, and the King's Speech laid out the government's upcoming agenda for the year.

Princess Anne

Princess Anne was monarch's personal bodyguard at Coronation

PA

King Charles does not play any role in the legislative agenda. He merely read out the list on behalf of Rishi Sunak and his government.

In terms of Princess Anne taking on such a significant role, a royal source told The Mirror: "This is a fantastic addition by the King and further cements the Princess Royal’s role as his most trusted lieutenant."

The King made both his sister and younger brother Prince Edward Counsellors of State when he became the monarch.

This allows them to carry out constitutional duties when King Charles is unable to do so.

Princess Anne

Princess Anne at the State Opening of Parliament today

PA

Princess Anne

Princess Anne played a significant role today

PA

King Charles and Queen Camilla took the Diamond Jubilee State Coach to the House of Lords today.

This is the same vehicle that carried the couple to the Coronation at Westminster Abbey in May. The King also re-wore his Imperial State Crown and Robe of State.

Meanwhile, Queen Camilla re-wore her Bruce Oldfield Coronation dress.

However, she donned the Diamond Diadem for the first time - which Queen Elizabeth II wore at her Coronation in 1953.

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