The Queen unveiled the coalition government's agenda for its final year in office with a traditional display of pomp and power. The monarch travelled from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster in the resplendent new Diamond Jubilee State Coach.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh travel in the Diamond Jubilee state coach from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament to attend the State Opening of ParliamentAFPA military procession escorts the carriage of Queen Elizabeth II as it processes down the MallGettyA policeman stands watch as a Guard of Honour marches past Buckingham Palace and down the MallGettyA Guard of Honour marches past Buckingham Palace and down the MallGettyTwo ducks cross the Mall in front of members of the household cavalryReutersMembers of the Household Cavalry ride through a rain showerReutersPrince Charles and Camilla travel in a carriage from Buckingham Palace to attend the State Opening of ParliamentGettyA Guard of Honour marches past Buckingham Palace and down the MallGettyQueen Elizabeth II arrives aboard the new Diamond Jubilee Coach to attend the State Opening of ParliamentGettyThe Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh proceed through the Royal Gallery at the Palace of WestminsterGettyPageboys hold the monarch's train as she makes her way through the Royal GalleryGettyPrince Charles listens as his mother as she delivers her speech in the House of LordsReutersHer Majesty delivers the Queen's Speech from the Throne in the House of Lords flanked by Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla during the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of WestminsterAFPLieutenant General David Leakey, who holds the title of 'Black Rod', holds the staff in the Norman Porch of the Palace of Westminster prior to the State Opening of ParliamentGettyYeomen of the Guard prepare to conduct the ceremonial search ahead of the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of WestminsterAFPPeers, including Lord Howe, Baroness Lawrence, Lord Grade, and Baroness Trumpington, look on as Yeomen of the Guard conduct a ceremonial searchAFPA cleaner stops and bows his head to a Gentleman at Arms who is to take a ceremonial role in the State Opening of ParliamentGettyThe lavishly embroidered tunic of a trumpeter is pictured in the Norman Porch of the Palace of WestminsterGettyThe Imperial State Crown is held by a member of the Queen's Bodyguard as he waits for his carriage to leave the Palace of Westminster following the Queen's SpeechGettyThe crown is escorted through the Norman Porch of the Palace of Westminster after the State Opening of ParliamentGettyQueen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip leave the House of Lords after the Queen's SpeechGetty
