Queen Elizabeth Attends State Opening of Parliament in Day Dress

The coronavirus pandemic has affected many aspects of life, and even the British monarchy has not been immune to its impact.

One of the most important ceremonial functions of Queen Elizabeth II is to formally open Parliament, which traditionally involves her wearing the glittering Imperial State Crown and ceremonial robes while travelling by coach to make a speech.

However, this year's ceremony was scaled back due to the pandemic.

Today, Her Majesty made the journey to the Palace of Westminster by car and wore a lilac daydress and hat instead of the full ceremonial dress and crown.

Attending the event without her husband Prince Philip, who had been with her for decades, the Queen was accompanied by her son Prince Charles and her daughter-in-law Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

The 95-year-old monarch majestically sat alone on a throne in the House of Lords, wearing a lavender-coloured daydress and matching hat.

Her son and Camilla were seated a few yards to her left.

The Imperial State Crown, signifying the regalia of the Head of State, was placed on a table next to her.

Both Charles and Camilla have escorted the Queen to the formal ceremony before, but this event will take on a new significance as it underlines how the senior royals are stepping in to be alongside her at key moments in the wake of the Duke of Edinburgh's passing.

A former senior aide at the palace previously told People magazine that the Queen's family will step up and be by her side.

She understands that she has a job to do, and Philip would have wanted her to carry on.

The State opening of Parliament is a key moment in the political and constitutional calendar as it sees the Sovereign, as Head of State, outline the main legislation that the serving UK Government, led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, wishes to introduce over the coming months.

As she set out the UK Government's priorities for the coming months in the 10-minute speech, she began by saying the Administration's priority is to deliver a post-Covid recovery.

“My Government's priority is to deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before,” she said in the speech.

“To achieve this, my Government will level up opportunities across all parts of the United Kingdom, supporting jobs, businesses and economic growth and addressing the impact of the pandemic on public services.”

The ceremonial occasion began with the arrival of the Imperial State Crown in its own royal car, which left Buckingham Palace at 11am local time.

Accompanied by a lady-in-waiting, the Queen appeared in good health and spirits as she carried out her duty.

The monarch arrived at the Houses of Parliament, entering via the Sovereign's entrance, for what the BBC said is the Queen's 67th State Opening of Parliament.

Usually, the House of Lords is packed with politicians and diplomats, and the military line her route, but this year, just 108 people attended the event.

Members of Parliament and Members of the House of Lords had to wear masks and have a negative Covid test beforehand.

Charles and Camilla also wore masks throughout.

Traditionally, the Queen wears the Imperial State Crown during the speech, but she has not done so since 2016 due to its heavy weight of 2lb 5oz and her advancing years.

In 2019, she wore the lighter diamond diadem throughout the ceremony instead, which is the crown she usually wears to arrive for the occasion.

Today, the Imperial State Crown symbolising the monarch's sovereignty was carried in front of her as she processed to her seat and placed on a cushion next to her during the speech.

One of the most elaborate pieces of regalia, the Imperial State Crown is set with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 269 pearls.

It travelled along with other regalia ahead of the Queen from Buckingham Palace by car with a police escort before the ceremony.

In 2017, the Queen also wore a day dress for the State Opening of Parliament, causing some amusement as she delivered her speech outlining the government's plans as the UK prepared to leave the European Union.

People compared her hat to its flag.

However, Angela Kelly, the Queen's dressmaker, later noted in her 2019 book that the similarity was a coincidence.

The Queen's attendance at the State Opening of Parliament in a day dress and without her husband by her side highlights the changes and challenges that the pandemic has brought to the world and the monarchy.

Nonetheless, Her Majesty remains committed to her duties and responsibilities, and her family is there to support her every step of the way.