State Opening of Parliament 2019

Queen Elizabeth II opened Parliament today. It’s a thing that happens every damn year but every year, I guess people tune in to see the Queen look grumpy AF in a full state-ceremony gown (in the middle of the day!). For decades, the Queen wore the Imperial State Crown to the opening of Parliament, but in recent years, the crown is literally too heavy for her head, so she opts for the Diamond Diadem tiara. That’s what she wore today. But because people come to see the actual CROWN, the crown had to come along too. Did… the crown… travel in its own carriage? I think it did. And check out this fussy crown business:

The Imperial State Crown, seen only at coronations and state openings of Parliament, arrives at the Palace of Westminster ahead of the Queen’s Speech setting out the government’s agenda

Live updates: https://t.co/OBWG03YSmt pic.twitter.com/MqoVihLbx6

— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) October 14, 2019

The BBC commentary really sells this. The crown gets ANOTHER cushion when it’s inside. Bless it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure that all of this pomp and custom has a purpose. But from the outside looking in, my lord. British peeps, how can you stand it? Anyway, the Queen looked…small and tired. Charles looked fine. I spy Camilla off to the side too, looking bored.

State Opening of Parliament 2019

State Opening of Parliament 2019

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
State Opening of Parliament 2019
State Opening of Parliament 2019
State Opening of Parliament 2019
State Opening of Parliament 2019