Statement regarding the State Opening of Parliament in May 2013
Published
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will attend the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday, 8th May. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will be accompanied by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
Background:
During the present reign, The Queen has been accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh at every State Opening except for those in 1956, 1964, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1982, 1991, 1994 and 1996. Other Members of the Royal Family took part in the Procession in the following years (after travelling to Westminster in the same Carriage Procession as The Queen):
1956 – Princess Margaret
1967 – Prince of Wales and Princess Anne
1968 – Prince of Wales and Princess Anne
1969 – Prince of Wales (escorting The Queen)
1970 – Prince of Wales and Princess Anne
1971 – Prince of Wales
1972 – Princess Anne
1973 – Prince of Wales (escorting The Queen) and Princess Anne
1974 (Oct) – Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips
1975 – Prince of Wales, Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips
1976 – Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips
1978 – Prince of Wales
1979 – Prince of Wales and Princess Anne
1980 – Prince of Wales
1981 – Prince and Princes of Wales and Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips
1982 – Prince and Princess of Wales
1984 – Prince and Princess of Wales
1985 – Princess Anne
1991 – Prince and Princess of Wales
1994 – Prince of Wales (escorting The Queen)
1996 – Prince of Wales (escorting The Queen)
1964 was the only year in which The Queen walked alone (with the exception of March 1974 when there was a scaled-down ceremony).
NB This list does not include those other Members of the Royal Family who used to attend the State Opening and take their seats in the Chamber prior to The Queen’s arrival.
