Fans of the royal family watched with rolling eyes when a mobile phone rang just before today’s speech from the throne.
The 75-year-old Monarch addressed MPs and members of the House of Lords in London this morning for the first time since Labour’s landslide election victory.
The origins of the ceremony and the giving of a speech by royal persons date back to the 16th century.
But a technical glitch just before the event began served as a painful reminder that today’s world is very different from the 16th century, when the first State Opening of Parliament took place. The ringtone of someone’s phone echoed through the historic building.
The hall remained silent as King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in their lavish royal regalia, including the Robe of State and the gleaming Imperial State Crown, encrusted with jewels.
Today a mobile phone ringtone could be heard in the historic building as King Charles took his seat
The ceremony and speech-giving by the royal family can be traced back to the 16th century
This too was captured on CCTV. There is footage of King Charles sitting on the throne, along with his wife Queen Camilla – who celebrates her 77th birthday today – and some of his loyal Pages of Honour, on this historic occasion.
Several Pages of Honour assisted in arranging the King’s gowns. Schoolboys William Sackville, Ralph Tollemache, Alfred Wellesley, Guy Tryon, William Keswick and Arthur Elliot wore traditional uniforms and helped the King and Queen settle in for the historic occasion.
But as soon as they finish arranging Charles’ robe, a cell phone rings for a few seconds before quickly turning off.
Then the prince said, ‘Gentlemen, please sit down,’ whereupon the whole hall sat down in their chairs.
The embarrassing moment did not go unnoticed by royal fans, who brought it to their attention on X, formerly known as Twitter.
One joked: ‘Oops, mobile phone went off during the State Opening of Parliament. I think that’s treason.’
Another wrote: ‘A mobile phone ringing while King Charles sits on his throne in the House of Lords in his robe, very 21st century Britain.’
The 75-year-old Monarch spoke to MPs and members of the House of Lords in London this morning for the first time since Labour’s landslide election victory.
The Monarch then said, “My Lords, please be seated,” before the entire room took their seats
The embarrassing moment did not go unnoticed by royal fans, who took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to notice
A third said: ‘A mobile phone rings in the House of Lords as His Majesty the King arrives to open Parliament House.’
However, it is not the first time that a telephone conversation in the House of Lords has been disrupted.
Last year, Labour MP Lord Woodley apologised after his device went off and played the Mission Impossible theme tune just after Lord Douglas Miller was introduced.
In a statement to Parliament, Lord Woodley said: ‘May I first of all apologise to the Speaker and in particular to our new Lord Douglas Miller for my phone ringing. I have never been so embarrassed in my life. I am truly sorry.’
The public is also frustrated by the use of mobile phones by MPs and Lords in the House of Commons,
One of them said, “They are setting these rules for others. It is clear that it is a problem for them. They should follow the same rules that they set for others.”