King Charles and Queen Camilla at the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.Photo:Leon Neal/Getty Images

King Charles III and Queen Camilla prepare to depart following the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords Chamber,

Leon Neal/Getty Images

King CharlesandQueen Camillastepped out for one of the key events on the royal calendar: the State Opening of Parliament.

On Wednesday, the Kingopened the new parliamentary session for the first time in his reignand delivered the King’s Speech. The event is steeped in tradition — including many reminders ofQueen Elizabeth’s reign and nods to the monarch’s coronation that took place in May.

01of 14King Charles and Queen CamillaKing Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.Neil Mockford/GC ImagesKing Charles and Queen Camilla departed Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, the same horse-drawn carriage they used on the May 6 coronation day to travel to the crowning ceremony at Westminster Abbey. The coach was commissioned to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s 60th anniversary of acceding the throne in 2012.

01of 14

King Charles and Queen Camilla

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.Neil Mockford/GC Images

King Charles III and Queen Camilla travel down the Mall in the Diamond State Coach on their way to the Houses of Parliament for The State Opening of Parliament

Neil Mockford/GC Images

King Charles and Queen Camilla departed Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, the same horse-drawn carriage they used on the May 6 coronation day to travel to the crowning ceremony at Westminster Abbey. The coach was commissioned to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s 60th anniversary of acceding the throne in 2012.

02of 14King Charles and Queen CamillaKing Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty ImagesKing Charles wore the Admiral of the Fleet Royal Naval dress uniform for the ride to the ceremony.

02of 14

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images

King Charles III and Britain’s Queen Camilla travel in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach as they leave from Buckingham Palace in London

BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images

King Charles wore the Admiral of the Fleet Royal Naval dress uniform for the ride to the ceremony.

03of 14Queen CamillaKing Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty ImagesRoyal watchers got their first glimpse of Queen Camilla’s jewels as she rode in the procession.

03of 14

Queen Camilla

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images

Queen Camilla travels down The Mall in the Diamond State Coach to attend the State Opening of Parliament on November 7, 2023 in London

Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images

Royal watchers got their first glimpse of Queen Camilla’s jewels as she rode in the procession.

04of 14King Charles and Queen CamillaKing Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.Carl Court/Getty ImagesWhile King Charles and Queen Camilla rode in a coach, so did the royal regalia! TheImperial State Crown, the Great Sword of State and the Cap of Maintenance traveled in their own carriage, Queen Alexandra’s State Coach.

04of 14

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.Carl Court/Getty Images

Members of the King’s Guard line up outside Buckingham Palace as King Charles III and Queen Camilla depart in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach for the Houses of Parliament ahead of the State Opening of Parliament on November 7, 2023 in London

Carl Court/Getty Images

While King Charles and Queen Camilla rode in a coach, so did the royal regalia! TheImperial State Crown, the Great Sword of State and the Cap of Maintenance traveled in their own carriage, Queen Alexandra’s State Coach.

05of 14

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at the Sovereign’s Entrance to the Palace of Westminster ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords

Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images

06of 14King Charles and Queen CamillaKing Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesFor the first time since his coronation, King Charles wore the Imperial State Crown.

06of 14

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

King Charles III, wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State, and Britain’s Queen Camilla, wearing the George IV State Diadem, process through the Royal Gallery during the State Opening of Parliament

JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

For the first time since his coronation, King Charles wore the Imperial State Crown.

07of 14

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive for the State Opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament

Throughout her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth would sport the headpiece during the State Opening of Parliament annually until her later years, when she would opt for a lighterdiademor one of hersignature wide-brimmed hats.

Queen Elizabeth spoke about the difficult task of reading the speechwhile trying to balance the heavy headpiece in the documentaryThe Coronation:“You can’t look down to read the speech, you have to take the speech up. Because if you did, your neck would break — it would fall off. So there are some disadvantages to crowns, but otherwise, they’re quite important things.”

08of 14

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.Leon Neal/Getty Images

King Charles III and Queen Camilla prepare to depart following the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords Chamber

09of 14

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.LEON NEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

King Charles III, wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State, sits beside Britain’s Queen Camilla, wearing the George IV State Diadem, as he reads the King’s speech from The Sovereign’s Throne in the House of Lords chamber

LEON NEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Because Queen Elizabeth was monarch and gave the Queen’s Speech, this marked the first King’s Speech in over 70 years.

10of 14

King Charles III and Queen Camilla prepare to depart following the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords Chamber

11of 14

Queen Camilla attends the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords Chamber,

12of 14King Charles and Queen CamillaKing Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesAlthough this was the first State Opening of Parliament of King Charles' reign, he first attended the State Opening of Parliament in 1970 and appeared at the event several times accompanying his mother.

12of 14

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

King Charles III, wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State, and Britain’s Queen Camilla, wearing the George IV State Diadem, sits on The Sovereign’s Throne in the House of Lords chamber, during the State Opening of Parliament

KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Although this was the first State Opening of Parliament of King Charles' reign, he first attended the State Opening of Parliament in 1970 and appeared at the event several times accompanying his mother.

13of 14King Charles and Queen CamillaKing Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.TOBY MELVILLE/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesHe stepped in for Queen Elizabeth at the event in May 2022. Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen, who died in September 2022 at age 96, wouldmiss the event due to “episodic mobility problems.“For the first time,Charles represented his motherand read the Queen’s Speech.

13of 14

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.TOBY MELVILLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

King Charles III and Britain’s Queen Camilla, wearing the George IV State Diadem, leave from the Norman Porch after the State Opening of Parliament, at the Houses of Parliament

TOBY MELVILLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

He stepped in for Queen Elizabeth at the event in May 2022. Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen, who died in September 2022 at age 96, wouldmiss the event due to “episodic mobility problems.“For the first time,Charles represented his motherand read the Queen’s Speech.

14of 14King Charles and Queen CamillaBack at Buckingham Palace, King Charles and Queen Camilla observed military personnel march past — and the Queen opted to bundle up from the cold with a coat draped over her shoulders!

14of 14

Back at Buckingham Palace, King Charles and Queen Camilla observed military personnel march past — and the Queen opted to bundle up from the cold with a coat draped over her shoulders!

source: people.com