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State & Ceremonial

The Queen attends the State Opening of Parliament in Westminster just six days before Christmas

The Queen attended the State Opening of Parliament on Thursday morning – just six days before Christmas.

The occasion in Westminster is thought to have been Her Majesty’s final engagement of 2019.

She will shortly depart London for Sandringham where the 93-year-old monarch will reside during the winter season.

This was The Queen’s second State Opening of Parliament in as many months.

However, this occasion was markedly different. There were no robes, carriages, or tiaras to be seen.

This was a ‘dressed-down’ occasion meaning the Imperial Crown was placed on a table next to Her Majesty, rather than to being placed on her head.

Instead of wearing her usual royal regalia, Her Majesty was dressed in a teal green dress with a matching hat.

The Prince of Wales, who accompanied his mother, wore morning dress as opposed to his usual military uniform.