Queen Camilla wore a historic crown for the State Opening of Parliament, but raised eyebrows by adding an unexpected accessory to her royal ensemble.
On Wednesday, May 13, King Charles, 77, and Camilla, 78, attended the State Opening of Parliament in London, marking the formal start of the parliamentary year and the announcement of the government’s agenda. The occasion was steeped in traditional pageantry. The royal couple traveled from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament in the Irish State Coach before making a grand procession into the House of Lords chamber.
Both Charles and Camilla wore historic headpieces for the event. The King donned the Imperial State Crown, which he first wore at his coronation in May 2023, while Camilla sported the Diamond Diadem, first worn at the inaugural State Opening of Parliament of her husband’s reign in November 2023. However, the Queen turned heads by adding a purse to her royal attire. This comes after a new biography claimed Camilla opposed Prince William marrying “common” Kate Middleton.
The Royal Family’s official Instagram account shared photographs from the May 13 event, including one of Camilla dressed in a long white gown featuring long sleeves and an elegant V-neck. Completing her regal look was the Diamond Diadem, also known as the George IV State Diadem.
The breathtaking crown was crafted for the 1820 coronation of King George IV, and was worn by the monarch on his way to Westminster Abbey for his crowning ceremony.
Since the reign of King George IV, the Diamond Diadem has adorned every queen regnant and queen consort, including Queen Adelaide, Queen Victoria, Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother), and Queen Elizabeth II.
This marks Camilla’s third appearance wearing the Diadem, having previously donned it at the State Openings of Parliament in 2023 and 2024. With no State Opening scheduled in the U.K. in 2025, the parliamentary session has continued from the 2024 opening.
Yet it wasn’t the crown that turned the most heads. Photographs of the Queen revealed she also carried a matching pearly white handbag, an accessory that struck many as unusual for such a formal occasion.
While royals frequently tote bags to casual engagements and garden parties, bringing one into Parliament amid such pomp and ceremony appears distinctly out of the ordinary.
Although Queen Elizabeth II was known to bring a handbag to the State Opening of Parliament, Camilla herself opted not to carry one at either the 2023 or 2024 ceremonies.
Meanwhile, King Charles cut an impressive figure wearing the Imperial State Crown.
Though he was officially crowned using the St. Edward’s Crown — reserved exclusively for coronation ceremonies — he made the traditional switch to the Imperial State Crown toward the conclusion of the service.
The crown, which dates back to the 1937 coronation of King George VI, is crafted from gold and adorned with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls, and four rubies.
Charles has previously worn it for other State Openings of Parliament since the beginning of his reign. It was also placed on Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin during her funeral in September 2022.
In the Royal Family’s post about the day, they wrote, “The King and Queen have attended the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster.
“The ceremonial event formally marks the beginning of each parliamentary year. It is the only regular occasion when the three constituent parts of Parliament — the Sovereign, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons – meet.
“Today is the third occasion in which His Majesty has opened Parliament as Sovereign.
“Having arrived by carriage procession from Buckingham Palace, The King read a speech written by His Majesty’s Government, which sets out legislation for the year.”
During the State Opening of Parliament, Charles delivered the King’s Speech, which is drafted by the government and outlines its policies and proposed legislation for the new parliamentary year.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.the-express.com ’
