King Charles will have Princess Anne as his bodyguard when he makes his first speech to open Parliament as monarch, it has been claimed.
His Majesty, 74, will be accompanied by his younger sister when he travels to the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday to deliver the King’s speech. Mirror reports.
While Charles and his wife Camilla will make the journey from Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State carriage, which carried them to his coronation at Westminster Abbey, the Princess Royal will travel behind them in a separate carriage.
In doing so, the 73-year-old will be the ‘Gold-Stick-in-Waiting’ – a role she once again took on at her brother’s coronation, although she rode on horseback at the event in May.
During Tuesday’s ceremony, Anne will walk into the House of Lords with Charles, where he will give a speech outlining the government’s legislative plans for the coming session.
Princess Anne will be the king’s personal bodyguard at the state opening of parliament on Tuesday
The Princess Royal will once again take on the role of ‘Gold-Stick-in-Waiting’, having held the same position at her brother’s coronation in May (pictured)
According to reports, Anne was given the role as a reward for her loyalty to her older brother
His Majesty will travel from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament for the King’s speech on Tuesday. Here he is pictured opening Parliament in his mother’s place last year
The position 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 will be another responsibility for the king’s eldest sibling, who was appointed councilor of state along with her younger brother Prince Edward after Charles took the throne.
This means that if the monarch becomes ill, is abroad or cannot perform his duties, she can intervene on his behalf.
During the ceremony on Tuesday, Charles will wear the Imperial State Crown and State Mantle. Queen Elizabeth II had worn the same headdress, but in later years she had placed it on a velvet cushion next to her because it became too heavy for her.
It has not yet been confirmed what Anne will wear, but it could be similar to the outfit she wore when she played the same role at the coronation on May 6.
On that occasion she dressed in full regalia as Colonel of the Blues and Royals, under a green velvet robe, although she omitted the latter as she rode away from Westminster Abbey on horseback after the ceremony.
It was reported that Anne was ‘incredibly honoured’ when her brother revealed he wanted her to be his personal bodyguard.
The Princess Royal (centre) held the position of Gold Stick-in-Waiting and led the King’s Household Cavalry troopers of the Blues and Royals and Life Guards on horseback during the coronation in May
Upon arrival at Buckingham Palace after the coronation in May, the Princess Royal led a royal salute from members of the Household Cavalry
Princess Anne and Princess Royal ride on horseback behind the golden state carriage with the newly crowned King and Queen after the coronation in May
Britain’s Princess Anne will arrive at Westminster Abbey for the coronation of King Charles III in London in May this year
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.
This map shows the route Charles will take during the State Opening procession on Tuesday
Charles will open Parliament for the first time as king after his accession to the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022
Princess Anne will be present in the audience on Tuesday when Charles gives his speech, in which he explains the government’s plans for the coming session.
The speech, written by the government, will be delivered from the throne in the House of Lords.
However, it is expected to also include Charles’ personal words about his mother.
When Queen Elizabeth gave her first speech at the Opening of Parliament in November 1952, she spoke of her father’s “selfless devotion to his duties.”
She had said it would be her “continuing endeavor” to follow that standard.
The queen followed in the footsteps of King George V, who spoke of the ‘grievous loss’ of his father Edward VII at the state opening in 1911.
When the king stormed parliament last month, he spoke warmly about his mother.
In a royal speech from Lord True, he said: ‘My thoughts go first to my beloved mother, the late Queen.
“I would like to thank you for the sympathy and support shown to my family and myself from both Houses of Parliament, the country and beyond.
“My mother exemplified selfless dedication and commitment to the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth throughout her long reign, an example to which I rededicated my own life in public service upon my accession just over a year ago.
“I remain deeply grateful for the expressions of loyalty offered at that time.”
When the Monarch leaves, a new parliamentary session will begin, during which services in Parliament will return to normal.
Members of both Houses will then debate the contents of the speech and agree on an ‘Address in Reply to His Majesty’s Gracious Address’.
Each House continues the debate on the planned legislative program for a number of days, during which various topics are discussed.