While there was a time, long before the reform of the House of Lords, when the royal ladies would turn out in force for the State Opening of Parliament, the Queen was accompanied only by the Duke of Edinburgh as she journeyed to the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday morning.

Despite her future role as Consort (be it as Princess or Queen) of 'King Charles III' - or will it be 'King George VII'? - this is one event which is yet to be attended by Camilla.

Having privately thwarted attempts by the last Government to slim down or even scrap the annual State Opening - Tony Blair wished to see it take place only once every four/five years, to coincide with general election year - the Queen continues to see the event as an integral part of the royal calendar, reinforcing as it does the role of a constitutional monarchy.

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Name: Monika	Comment: These pictures are lovely. Thank you so much, Joanne.

Name: valmae

Comment: Thanks Joanne for including the State Opening, the only time we see the Queen wearing the Imperial State Crown (apart from at her Coronation. She had of course been crowned with the Edward the Confessor Crown). Although the Queen is the only monarch to be televised carrying out this ceremonial duty, perhaps we could half-shut our eyes and imagine all the monarchs from Charles II down reading the speech prepared by their Governments. Let's hope the tradition continues. It isn't too often to wear a crown only once a year!