Well I hope you all saw me on the telly this morning…I was first row up on the left between Ladies Howarth of Breckland and Pitkeathley. Being lady peers, our spouses/partners had been banished to the galleries above whereas the peeresses with their tiaras sat right behind us in the Chamber…now that’s not quite equality for women is it? This is one of those occasions when you can’t have too much bling. Even buried in the red robes you can adorn your ears with all manner of sparkle. Lady Pitkeathley told me she’d asked an Earl yesterday if he was coming today and the reply was ‘To be honest it’s too much trouble getting her tiara out of the bank’. But for many it clearly was not too much trouble. My rented robes were a bit long by the way for those who wondered, but they have a usuful loop to carry the train while you walk so you don’t trip up.
To get a seat at State Opening you more or less have to sit and wait for an hour and a half for the spectacular arrival of the Queen, the ‘invasion’ from the Commons and a very short speech which today was even shorter than usual. There was a faint cheer from the Commons end when the ‘Democratic Element’ was mentioned as part of Constitutional Lords Reform. The rest was described in such vague terms as to be positively gnomic.
It was a great ceremony, fabulous to be part of, glad I did it once at least.
Does anyone know what the ‘Cap of Maintenance’ is, Baroness Royall carried it.
“Lady Pitkeathley told me she’d asked an Earl yesterday if he was coming today and the reply was ‘To be honest it’s too much trouble getting her tiara out of the bank’.”
Is anyone else enjoying the image of an earl wearing a tiara? Can we suggest which earl would carry it off best
😀
The cap is one of those symbols of royal power though the origin escapes me. Something rather similar exists under peers coronets but few peers alive have now worn a coronet as they are only used for coronations
Of course it got a cheer. It’s one of those symbolic things that Labourites like and that allows them to ignore the real issues, such as the democratic vacuum in Brussels and in the associated quangocracy, and the increasingly ineffective House of Commons.
Given that there are only 30 sitting days in the Lords before an election no-one is seriously expecting anything major on Lords reform, but might this new Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill, which stops ‘new’ hereditaries taking their seats through by-elections, pass? I hope not, I think there are still hereditaries who were booted out in ’99 who have something to offer.
AFAIK the Cap of Maintenance is long pointy hat which symbolises the Sovereign. It could be worn under a crown, or it may have a more practical use at Christmas.
Unfortunately my Lady I missed you on the telly this morning but I`m sure you were elegance personified. No one gets over being able to dress up and what a splendid occasion of pomp and ceremony. I know being in the Royal Tournament 1973.Taking part in the March down the Mall, (which was difficult as the three services march at different pace with three different bands).Meeting the Royal Family as part of the carpet guard was thrilling and fills you with more than a little trepidation. I hope you felt more than a little proud to have been part of this National event.
As for the equality, let the men stand in gallery, I`d rather have the stunning ladies with their bling to stare upon anyday.
As for the commons end cheering democracy and talking of totally non political affiliated Lords, those in glass houses shouldn`t think that “hypocrite” was a Greek legend. Can`t see the Lords legislation passing before the next election myself.
A day well worth going to Bank to get the tiara and I`m sure my Lady was delighted to have been part. Shame others feel it such a chore when they should feel honoured.
The Cap of Maintenance:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cap_of_Maintenance
By the way, bring back The Royal Tournament it was a spectacle to behold, showed off the skills of our forces and was a recruitment advertisement second to none.
I understood the Cap of Maintenance to be the cushion of the inside of a Crown the Pope gave Henry VII…
As a huge fan of pomp and ceremony, I always enjoy watching the event.
I also however, support the ceremony as a vital part of the British democracy, as in my mind, it is a reminder of the separation of powers between the various offices of government.
However, and quite importantly, the long standing traditions help to remind people of how old the British democratic offices are, and the emotional attachment people feel to their pomp and ceremony can slow hasty reforms.
I still felt it rude of Mr Speaker to attend in just a suit and robe, and not traditional wear though. It’s only an occasional event and dressing up is part of the fun.
I was wondering how long Her Majesty will be able to go on attending to make the speech. Like her mother, she will not be put off, and
a 100 not out and a Queen’s speech too, would be something to shout to the world.
The Duke of course will go on until he’s 104, like HIS mother, so a proxy reading does not need to be considered!
There are not that many people in the world who have so many millions singing a “save him/her” song at public events! The gods must hear the song, and do… save her.
A fine family too, but I am not a keen monarchist, just respect where it is due
for good values…… duh duh.
What happens during the state opening if the monarch is unable to attend in person? I think the Queen has only ever missed it when she was pregnant. Does anyone know (or dare I say, remember!) whether there was a speech, and who read it?
Thanks very much for the info on Cap of Maintenance. I’m all in favour of ceremonial symbols but this one seems to have been lost in the mists of time. Anyway it turned out to be a little pointy number carried by Lady Royall.
Ian Visits, The Lord Chancellor did dress up this year and of course Speaker Bercow was wearing a magnificent gown over his suit. I do like a bit of lace meself, our clerks looked wonderful in newly laundered white frothy lace neck ties. Carl Holbrough, your thought son men in the gallery was the same as my husbands and the view up there was the best.