While millions will recognise the glittering Imperial State Crown at the State Opening of Parliament, two other historic symbols of royal authority will also take centre stage during the ceremony.
The Great Sword of State and the Cap of Maintenance are among the oldest and most important pieces of royal insignia still used by the monarchy today.
Both are carried in procession ahead of the Sovereign and serve as powerful symbols of the Crown’s authority and centuries of constitutional tradition.
The Sword of State is perhaps the more instantly recognisable of the two after it became a talking point during the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
Then-Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt drew widespread attention after carrying the enormous ceremonial sword for more than an hour during the historic service at Westminster Abbey.
However, the former Conservative MP, who lost her Portsmouth North seat at the 2024 General Election, will not take part in this year’s State Opening ceremony.
The Great Sword of State remains one of the most significant items within the Crown Jewels collection.
According to the Royal Family, the sword symbolises the Sovereign’s royal authority and has played a central role in coronations and state ceremonies for centuries.
The current Sword of State was first used at the Coronation of James II in 1685, when it formed part of the grand procession into Westminster Hall alongside the rest of the coronation regalia.
Since then, it has become an enduring feature of some of Britain’s most important royal occasions.
Also featured prominently during the State Opening is the Cap of Maintenance, which is positioned directly in front of the monarch during the ceremony.
The unusual item has medieval origins and was traditionally gifted to monarchs by the Pope as a mark of favour and recognition.
Receiving a Cap of Maintenance was once considered a major privilege and a symbol of papal endorsement.
Both Henry VII and Henry VIII were presented with Caps of Maintenance during their reigns and proudly displayed them publicly through the streets of London to reinforce the monarchy’s power and legitimacy.
Centuries later, both the Sword of State and the Cap of Maintenance continue to form part of the elaborate pageantry surrounding the State Opening of Parliament – a ceremony steeped in royal symbolism, history and constitutional tradition.
