Princess Anne's Gold Stick role is ancient bodyguard honour

The Princess Royal had a special role during the State Opening of Parliament as the King made his first King's Speech as monarch.

More than a thousand military personnel lined the streets for the procession from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords for the ceremony, while Princess Anne acted as the Gold Stick in Waiting - a unique ceremonial position steeped in history.

But what is the role and how did it come about?

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Gold Stick in Waiting

The Gold Stick in Waiting is a ceremonial bodyguard position to the monarch.

The Office of Gold Stick dates back to Tudor times when two officers stayed close to the monarch to keep them safe from danger, according to the Household Cavalry Foundation.

The position is held jointly by the colonels of The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals because they are senior in the Household Division and British Army.

Princess Anne is the colonel of The Blues and Royals.

The role was created due to a conspiracy during Henry VIII's reign, when he was supposedly in danger and a courtier was ordered to always be by his side, carrying an ebony staff with a gold head - hence the term Gold Stick.

A second Army officer, Silver Stick, was also placed close to the sovereign as the Gold Stick's deputy.

The Silver Stick is the Commander of the Household Cavalry, who holds the rank of colonel and oversees all Household Cavalry duties for the monarch.

Both the colonels of The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals take it in turns to operate as Gold Stick by way of a monthly rota.

It is thought that since Queen Victoria's reign, these duties have been predominantly ceremonial.

The role of Gold Stick is now only demonstrated on ceremonial and state occasions.

For the State Opening of Parliament, Princess Anne travelled behind the King and Queen on their short journey from Buckingham Palace and walked alongside the King into the House of Lords.

Anne also carried out the role of Gold Stick in Waiting during the King's coronation.