Princess Anne’s key role at King Charles’ first State Opening of Parliament revealed… and it’s an enormous privilege
PRINCESS Anne's key role at King Charles' first State Opening of Parliament has been revealed.
The Royal will act as the Gold-Stick-in-Waiting, an enormous and much deserved privilege awarded for her decades of loyalty.
The role was traditionally bestowed upon someone who was trusted to keep the monarch safe.
A royal source told : "This is a fantastic addition by the King and further cements the Princess Royal’s role as his most trusted lieutenant."
Princess Anne held the same position during King Charles' coronation in May.
She was seen looking stoic and elegant on horseback acting as the King's bodyguard.
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In the State Opening of Parliament, the Princess will be seated in a carriage following the King and Queen consort - who are set to arrive in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach seen at the coronation.
They will all make their way to the Houses of Parliament during the spectacle on Tuesday, where they arrive at the Sovereign's Entrance.
Then, the procession makes their way to the House of Lords chamber, where the King will then sit in the Throne in the House of Lords and instruct the Lord Great Chamberlain to signal the Black Rod to summon MPs from the other house.
There is then a Royal Procession to the House of Lords chamber, and they then enter to listen to King Charles read the speech.
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The State Opening of Parliament is the formal start of the parliamentary year and Charles will deliver the Monarch's Speech.
This outlines the government's agenda for the 2023-24 session.
Following the speech, a parliamentary session begins, and members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords debate the content of the speech.
In the Commons, members debate the legislative programme for several days and it's then voted on.
The Lords do so over five days, and then bills are introduced.
The historic event will mark the first time Princess Anne has walked into the chamber with King Charles since 1985.
King Charles will don the Imperial State Crown and dress in the Rove of State during the procession while Camilla will wear Elizabeth II’s diamond diadem as a nod to the late Queen.
The monarch made Princess Anne and Prince Edwards Counsellors of State when he become King.
This means they have the authority to carry out constitutional duties if King Charles is unable to.
