Extract from the Court Circular for 9 May 2012
“The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, travelled in State to the Palace of Westminster today to open the Session of Parliament.
Her Majesty and His Royal Highness drove in a Carriage Procession, escorted by a Sovereign’s Escort of The Household Cavalry, under the command of Major Simon Deverell, The Blues and Royals, and were received at the Sovereign’s Entrance by the Earl Marshal and the Lord Great Chamberlain.
Guards of Honour were mounted at Buckingham Palace by The Queen’s Guard found by 1st Battalion Irish Guards, under the command of Major Tom Oakley, and at the Palace of Westminster by 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, under the command of Major James Coleby.
A staircase party of The Household Cavalry was on duty at Victoria Tower, House of Lords.
Royal Salutes were fired in Green Park by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, under the command of Major Mark Edward, and from the Tower of London Saluting Battery by the Honourable Artillery Company, under the command of Major Michael Joy.
The Imperial State Crown, the Cap of Maintenance and the Sword of State were conveyed previously to the House of Lords in a Carriage Procession, escorted by a Regalia Escort of The Household Cavalry.
Her Majesty’s Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms was on duty in the Prince’s Chamber and The Queen’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard was on duty in the Royal Gallery.
The Queen’s Bargemaster and Watermen were on duty.
The Ladies and Gentlemen of the Household and the Pages of Honour to The Queen (Lord Stanley, Andrew Leeming, Arthur Chatto and the Hon. Charles Armstrong-Jones) were in attendance at the Palace of Westminster.”
Information from the Ministry of Defence website:
“The pomp and ceremony that takes place during the event is an essential part of the State Opening of Parliament, and over 1,300 Service personnel were on show in a variety of ceremonial roles.
The State Opening of Parliament marks the formal start of the next parliamentary session and primarily this colourful tradition is for Her Majesty The Queen to set out the government’s legislative agenda to both Houses of Parliament in her speech.
Elements of four of the Regiments of Foot Guards provided street-liners and other support, while an escort to Her Majesty was provided by members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
In honour of the State Opening, gun salutes were fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Green Park, and by the Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower of London. Musical accompaniment at various locations was provided by all five Foot Guards Bands and by the Royal Artillery Band.
The General Officer Commanding London District, Major General George Norton, commanded the tri-Service military elements on parade.
The Crown Procession, accompanied by the Regalia Escort of the Household Cavalry, left Buckingham Palace at 1037 hours, arriving at the House of Lords at 1052 hours. It was followed by the Sovereign’s Procession which left Buckingham Palace at 1100 hours.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun Royal Salute from Green Park from the moment the Sovereign’s Procession, accompanied by the Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry, arrived at the Sovereign’s Entrance of the House of Lords.
After delivering her speech, Her Majesty returned to Buckingham Palace. She left via the Sovereign’s Entrance of the House of Lords at midday as the Honourable Artillery Company fired the first round of a 41-gun salute from the Tower of London.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, followed by the Sovereign’s Escort and Regalia Escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, and members of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, provided a Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace and marched past Her Majesty before returning to their barracks.”
Posted by veryamateurish on 2012-05-17 23:36:11
Tagged: , United Kingdom , England , London , Westminster , Parliament , Parliament Square , State Opening of Parliament , Houses of Parliament , Garrison Sergeant Major , Warrant Officer Class 1 , Billy Mott , Welsh Guards , Headquarters London District
