Queen Elizabeth Attends State Opening of Parliament in Day Dress and Hat

Queen Elizabeth made her first public appearance in London on Tuesday, attending the state opening of Parliament since November.

The event was the first major one she has taken on since the passing of her husband, Prince Philip, last month.

For this occasion, she chose to wear a day dress and hat instead of ceremonial robes and crown.

Her Majesty wore a pale blue-grey coat with yellow floral embroidery around the collar.

She accessorized her spring coat with a pair of diamond and aquamarine brooches gifted to her by her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother, on her 18th birthday in April 1944.

The art deco design features aquamarines and diamonds, an eclipse style popularized by Cartier, but made by Boucheron, according to the Royal Collection.

The clips can be worn together to form a large oval, but Her Majesty often likes to wear them separately as diagonals, which is how they were placed on her dress coat at the event on Tuesday.

The Queen was last seen wearing these during her VE Day, 75th-anniversary address to the nation last year, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Due to the translucent nature of the jewels, the Queen typically wears them with blue or pale purple fabrics that enhance the natural color.

This year's state opening was a dress-down event due to the Covid-19 situation and ongoing restrictions in the UK.

This means no crown or ceremonial robes, with the Queen opting for a blue-grey coat with yellow floral embroidery around the neckline, which she wore over a silver dress with matching gold floral detailing.

The Queen also donned her three-string pearl necklace, along with her diamond and pearl drop earrings, which the 95-year-old also wore to her husband's funeral last month.

She finished the look with a purple and gold hat with floral and feather applique.

The Queen sat alone today, with the consort's throne removed from the state opening of Parliament's ceremony for the first time in 120 years.

Fashion journalist Claudia Joseph said the Queen was dressed perfectly for the occasion, as always.

She was not wearing her ceremonial robes but looked charming in pastel blue.

She always likes to wear a color that will stand out from the crowd, and a hat that shows her face, but I think pale blue was a lovely choice as it is calm and reflective during a time of turmoil for both her own family and the country.

Royal Central noted that grey is a color associated with half-mourning.

Commenting on the Queen's jewelry accessories on the occasion, style writer Amber Garafland said it was a lovely touch that the Queen chose to wear the brooches.

They were Art Deco-style Boucheron aquamarine and diamond clip brooches, which can be worn in a variety of formations.

Garafland added that the Royals are good at using jewelry to convey messages, and she clearly wanted people to know that she's still mourning.

Prince Philip will never be forgotten, and in a way, she was keeping him with her.