King Charles and Queen Camilla had a regal day in London, marking a significant moment in the British royal calendar with their participation in the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday, May 13. This annual event, which signals the formal start of the parliamentary year, sets the government’s agenda for the coming session, and both royals showcased their historic headpieces for the occasion.
The royal couple traveled from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament in a horse-drawn carriage, making their way through the streets of London in the Irish State Coach. This iconic coach, used for royal events since 1902, even carried Queen Elizabeth to her wedding in 1947. Upon arrival at the House of Lords, they joined a grand procession into the chamber.
King Charles, 77, wore the Imperial State Crown, a piece of royal history that he first donned at his coronation in May 2023. While he was officially crowned with the St. Edward’s Crown during the ceremony—traditionally used for crowning new monarchs—he swapped it for the Imperial State Crown near the end of the service. The Imperial State Crown, dating back to the 1937 coronation of King George VI, is an impressive and intricate design made of gold and adorned with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls, and four rubies. This crown has been a symbol of the British monarchy and is a part of the royal regalia used during the State Opening of Parliament. King Charles has worn it at every State Opening since the beginning of his reign and it was notably placed on Queen Elizabeth’s coffin during her funeral in September 2022.
Queen Camilla, 78, also wore a significant piece of royal headwear for the occasion—the Diamond Diadem, also known as the George IV State Diadem. First worn by Camilla at her husband’s first State Opening in November 2023, this diadem was created for King George IV’s coronation in 1820. Since then, it has been worn by every British queen, whether reigning or consort, from Queen Adelaide to Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) and Queen Elizabeth II. The diadem’s appearance at the State Opening of Parliament is a reminder of its long-standing place in British royal traditions. Camilla’s choice of this diadem comes just weeks after she opted not to wear a tiara at the state dinner hosted by President Donald Trump during the royal visit to the United States.
The event was a moment of tradition and continuity for the royal family, with King Charles delivering the King’s Speech—a key part of the State Opening of Parliament. The speech is written by the government and outlines the proposed policies and legislation for the upcoming parliamentary session. Queen Elizabeth, during her reign, wore the Imperial State Crown for each State Opening of Parliament, though as she aged, she would often opt for a lighter diadem or one of her signature wide-brimmed hats due to the significant weight of the crown, which weighs over 2 lbs. The late monarch herself spoke of the difficulty of reading the speech while balancing the heavy crown, humorously remarking in The Coronation documentary, “You can’t look down to read the speech, you have to take the speech up. Because if you did, your neck would break—it would fall off.”
King Charles, who has attended the State Opening of Parliament since 1970, also made headlines in May 2022 when he stepped in for his mother, Queen Elizabeth, who was unable to attend due to mobility issues. For the first time, Charles read the Queen’s Speech on behalf of his mother, marking a symbolic moment of transition within the monarchy. The Queen passed away later that year, making this year’s State Opening a poignant event for both King Charles and the nation.
While King Charles and Queen Camilla were busy in London, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, was in Italy for a two-day trip focused on her ongoing work in early childhood development. This marks her first international trip since 2023, when she took time away from the public eye to focus on her health following a cancer diagnosis and treatment. In early 2025, Kate shared the news that she was in remission, though she has openly discussed the challenges that come with life after treatment.
“This is an important step in the Princess’ recovery journey. She takes great joy from this work,” an aide shared ahead of the trip. “I think it is only right that her first international trip since her illness is one that is focused on an issue she has been committed to championing for decades.”
The royal couple’s engagements in London and Kate’s important work abroad represent the continued dedication of the royal family to their public duties, whether in supporting national traditions or advancing causes they hold dear.
