The King’s Protector: Princess Anne fulfills her duty as Charles’ ‘bodyguard’ and golden guard at the State Opening of Parliament
Princess Anne today acted as bodyguard to her older brother King Charles as he attended the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament.
The Princess Royal, 73, reprized her role as Gold-Stick-in-Waiting, which she performed at the coronation in May, while Charles, 74, delivered his first ever King’s Speech since becoming monarch.
The mother-of-two, often dubbed the ‘hardest working royal’, dutifully walked behind the King and the Pages of Honor as he walked into the House of Lords to outline the government’s policy for the coming year.
Princess Anne was dressed in full colonel of the Blues and Royals regalia as she performed her duty this morning.
The royal couple traveled in a carriage just behind King Charles and Queen Camilla, which left Buckingham Palace and arrived at Westminster, where the King’s speech was delivered.
Princess Anne, 73, reprized her Gold Stick-in-waiting role as she acted as the King’s bodyguard at the State Opening of Parliament
Anne’s role as King Charles’ bodyguard is a reward for her loyalty to Charles, with a royal source telling the Mirror: “This is a fantastic addition from the King and strengthens the Princess Royal’s role as his most trusted lieutenant.”
Anne joined a number of state openings of the late Queen’s Parliament when she was younger, but this will be the first time she has entered the chamber alongside the monarch since 1985.
It’s a different responsibility for the king’s eldest sibling, who was appointed councilor of state along with her younger brother Prince Edward after Charles came to the throne.
This means that if the monarch becomes ill, is abroad or cannot perform his duties, she can intervene on his behalf.
The Princess Royal was dressed in full regalia as the Colonel of the Blues and Royals as she walked into the House of Lords
King Charles attended his first State Opening of Parliament and read the King’s speech for the first time since becoming monarch today
Today’s State Opening of Parliament marks the second time Princess Anne has fulfilled her role as Gold-Stick-in-Waiting, after first taking on the position for King Charles’ coronation on May 6.
On that occasion she dressed in the same regalia, but covered her outfit with a green velvet robe as she rode to Westminster Abbey on horseback.
It was reported that Anne was ‘incredibly honoured’ when her brother revealed he wanted her to be his personal bodyguard.
A source claimed at the time: ‘The direction of the king’s decision is clear to everyone.
“He rewards the Princess Royal for her loyalty and unwavering devotion to duty above all else.
“The king values his sister as a trusted lieutenant and this is the perfect example of such a relationship.”
The Princess Royal wore her Blues and Royals uniform with the dark green thistle mantle and thistle collar, garter sash, garter star, thistle star, GCVO star, full size medals, KCVO star and neck decoration of the Companion of the Order of the Bath.
The Thistle coat is made of deep green silk velvet with a white taffeta lining, and features a hand-embroidered gold badge and a blue velvet hood with garter.
After the ceremony, the Gold State Coach transporting the King and Queen was in the middle of a household procession of Household Cavalry troopers from the Blues and Royals and Life Guards on horseback.
Historically, domestic troops guarded the sovereign and today they once again fulfill this role. They were accompanied by 18 representatives of countries where Charles is king, who flanked the carriage.
Upon arrival at Buckingham Palace, the Princess Royal led a royal salute from members of the Household Cavalry, before joining her brother and other members of the working royal family on the balcony.