Following the majority win of Boris Johnson the Queen conducted the State Opening of Parliament on Thursday.
This would be her second within the space of two months. The Royal did not wear the full ceremonial regalia on this occasion, like she did in October, instead she wore an aqua-coloured day coat and matching hat.
Downing Street had released a statement prior to the UK general election in the 12 December explaining that if Boris Johnson remained Prime Minister, the State Opening of Parliament would take place on Thursday 19 December “with reduced ceremonial elements, as was the case following the early general election in 2017”.
The Imperial State Crown weighs more than 1kg and is adorned with 2,901 precious stones, including the Cullinan II diamond – making it a very heavy piece of jewelry! So given its weight and her age, the Queen wore the smaller George IV State Diadem throughout the ceremony. The Imperial State Crown was placed on a Chisholm besides the Royal’s seat along with the Prince of Wales.
After delivering her speech it is assumed that the Queen will now prepare for Christmas at Sandringham. Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to join her for Christmas Day church service. The monarch usually stays at her Norfolk estate until after 6 February, which will mark the 68th anniversary of her accession.
