CELEBRITY
Why the Queen was not wearing a crown during the State Opening of Parliament
The Queen’s Speech was a less grand-looking affair today, with the monarch arriving in a car instead of a carriage and wearing a hat in place of a crown.
The State Opening of Parliament has been deliberately designed with “reduced ceremonial elements”, as Downing Street has described it.
The focus away from pageantry is due to the “unique circumstances of the general election” – which was called days after the Queen last opened Parliament, in October, and “the proximity to Christmas”, according to Parliament’s website.
Besides using a Bentley over a horse-drawn carriage, the Queen wore a day dress and hat instead of ceremonial robes and crown.
Prince Charles attended in a morning suit. Prince Philip has retired from most public engagements.
Despite the Queen appearing in more casual clothing than normal, the event retained a lot of the pomp it is famous for.