King Charles has just presided over the traditional ceremonial opening of the British Parliamenthis first duty as monarch, this Tuesday, November 7.

The historic event began with King Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 76, traveling in the same royal carriage they used this time on Coronation Day in a procession escorted by the Royal Cavalry from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Palace. The vehicle, named the Diamond Jubilee, is also the same one used by the late Queen Elizabeth in 2012, during the ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Queen Camilla travel in the Diamond Jubilee State Carriage as they return to Buckingham Palace in London, November 7, 2023, after attending the State Opening of Parliament. (Photo Adrian DENNIS / AFP)
Photo: AFP

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As royal tradition dictates, Charles entered Westminster and then proceeded to the dressing room, where he donned the state robes of parliament and the imperial state crown. Then the monarch took part in a procession in which heralds, great state officials and members of the royal household took part.

King Charles III of Great Britain, wearing the imperial crown and coat of arms, and Queen Camilla of Great Britain, wearing the George IV tiara of state, sit on the sovereign throne in the chamber of the House of Commons. The Lords, during the State Opening of Parliament, at Parliament House, London, November 7, 2023. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth / POOL / AFP)
Photo: AFP

Next on duty for the day, the sovereign delivered the long-awaited King’s Speech, containing a summary of his policies and a bill for the new parliamentary session. Since before Charles his mother Elizabeth was a monarch, delivering the Queen’s Speech, the occasion marked the first time a King’s Speech had been broadcast in more than 70 years.

Britain’s King Charles III, wearing the imperial state crown and robes of state, arrives in the House of Lords Chamber, during the State Opening of Parliament, at the Houses of Parliament, in London, November 7, 2023. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth / POOL / AFP)
Photo: AFP

The last time King Charles wore the Imperial State Crown was at his coronation on Saturday, May 6. The piece, which dates from the coronation of King George VI in 1937, is made of gold with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls and four rubies. It is often used on ceremonial occasions, and was last seen publicly on Queen Elizabeth’s coffin during her funeral in September last year.