Tri-Service

Pomp And Ceremony At The State Opening Of Parliament

The Armed Forces have played a major role in the pomp and ceremony of the State Opening of Parliament.

1,384 Forces members and 229 horses were on public show in a variety of ceremonial roles.

The State Opening of Parliament is one of the highlights of the London Ceremonial calendar, when all elements of the Army’s Household Division, and other elements of the Armed Forces, line the streets and escort Her Majesty The Queen’s procession from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords.

It marks the formal start of the next parliamentary session, the main purpose being to set out the government's legislative agenda to both Houses of Parliament in the Queen's Speech, which is made by Her Majesty The Queen from the Throne in the House of Lords.

The Processional Route was by way of The Mall, Horse Guards Road, Horse Guards, Whitehall and Parliament Street.

A 41-gun salute was fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, supported by the Band of the Royal Artillery, in Green Park as the Queen reached the Sovereign's Entrance of The House of Lords.

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.

The Procession of Her Majesty The Queen then returned to Buckingham Palace from the House of Lords by the same Processional Route, followed by those of HRH The Prince of Wales and The Crown.

Once Her Majesty returned, The King's Troop, the Sovereign's Escort and Guard of Honour marched past Her Majesty and then returned to barracks.