IN PICTURES: Forces In Scaled-Down State Opening Of Parliament

Members of the Armed Forces have taken part in a scaled-down ceremony for this year's State Opening of Parliament.

Her Majesty The Queen delivered her speech on what is usually the most colourful event of the Parliamentary calendar wearing a day dress and hat, rather than the Imperial state crown and ceremonial robes.

The usual pomp and pageantry were watered down this year as the ceremony takes place four days after the Trooping the Colour.

It was deemed infeasible for the military and the Royal Mews to stage two major events in such a short period.

As a result, the Queen travelled to and from the Palace of Westminster by car and the route was not lined with troops.

Members of the Armed Forces were on public show, however, and busy behind the scenes in a variety of ceremonial roles.

Military units taking part this year included: The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, the Honourable Artillery Company, The Royal Artillery Band, and the Band of the Coldstream Guards, with 10 Signal Regiment in support.

The Queen's Speech sets out the government's legislative agenda to both Houses of Parliament.

As Her Majesty left the House of Lords at noon, a further 41-gun salute was fired at the Tower of London by the Army’s oldest regiment, The Honourable Artillery Company, which is part of the Army Reserve.

In an unusual turn of events, the Prince of Wales accompanied the Queen to the State Opening as her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, is being treated in hospital for an infection.