In Pictures: Pomp, pageantry and political intrigue at opening of Parliament

The King, wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State, alongside the Queen, wearing the George IV State Diadem and an embroidered gown by Fiona Clare, sit in the Chamber of the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) - (PA Wire)

Westminster was full of pomp and pageantry on Wednesday as the State Opening of Parliament and the King’s Speech took place after days of Labour infighting and intrigue.

The ceremonial occasion marks the formal beginning of the parliamentary year at a time of peril for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as he faces growing calls to resign.

Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle is robed up ahead of the State Opening of Parliament (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire)

The King’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard carry out a ceremonial search at the Palace of Westminster (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) (PA Wire)

The Band of the Royal Marines play (Ben Whitley/PA) (PA Wire)

Tory peer and author Michael Dobbs was one of those taking his seat early in the Lords (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) (PA Wire)

It was a gloomy day in London as some of the key protagonists headed to Parliament.

The King and Queen leave Buckingham Palace in the Irish State Coach (Ben Whitley/PA) (PA Wire)

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Lady Victoria Starmer head out of number 10 Downing Street (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)

Officials in Queen Alexandra’s State Coach carry the Imperial State Crown (Ben Whitley/PA) (PA Wire)

Campaigners from anti-monarchy group Republic hold a protest in Westminster (Lucy North/PA) (PA Wire)

Members of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire a 41-gun salute from Green Park to signal the start of the State Opening of Parliament and King’s Speech (Ben Whitley/PA) (PA Wire)

The King set out the Government’s priorities for the coming months in the speech which was watched by MPs and peers.

Charles, watched by Camilla, delivers the King’s Speech (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) (PA Wire)

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer smiles as he walks through the Member’s Lobby to the House of Lords (Toby Melville/PA) (PA Wire)

Health Secretary Wes Streeting was in attendance after his morning meeting with the Prime Minister (Toby Melville/PA) (PA Wire)

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was another interested observer (Toby Melville/PA) (PA Wire)

After delivering the speech, Charles left the Lords with Camilla to return to Buckingham Palace.

Camilla heads down the steps (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)

Charles departs from the Sovereign’s Entrance following the State Opening of Parliament (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)

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