The King has delivered the third King’s Speech of his reign at the State Opening of Parliament against a chaotic backdrop of political turmoil and uncertainty.
Charles, not long after his successful state visit to the United States, wore his Imperial State Crown and donned royal robes for the ancient event full of pomp and ceremony – bringing the continuity and permanence that remains the one sure constant of the occasion.
It is the monarch’s duty as head of state to formally open each new session of Parliament as part of tradition and customs dating back centuries.
More than 1,100 members of the armed forces and almost 200 horses showcased military splendour with among those taking part including the Royal Navy, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards and the RAF.
Meanwhile, as the King’s carriage drove towards Parliament, anti-monarchy protesters held up signs asking “did you know?” – referring to the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal.
Yellow placards had individual black letters that spelt out the question when held aloft at about 11.15am on Parliament Street.
Organising group Republic is demanding the monarch be replaced by an elected head of state.
The King opened Parliament and delivered his speech from the throne in the Lords’ Chamber, with his words written by a Government headed by an embattled Prime Minister, setting out their agenda for Parliament’s new session.
The King opened Parliament for the first time as monarch in November 2023.
In 2022, as the prince of Wales, he read the Queen’s Speech on behalf of his mother, with Elizabeth II delegating the task of opening Parliament to Charles and the then-duke of Cambridge in their roles as counsellors of state in a historic move.
The late Queen pulled out of attending on the advice of royal doctors due to her continued mobility problems and died four months later at the age of 96.
The Imperial State Crown worn by Charles contains 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, five rubies and more than 270 pearls and weighs more than a kilogramme.
The priceless crown was worn by the King on his return journey to the Palace after his coronation in 2023.
