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| CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images |
This morning, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom attended a scaled-back version of the State Opening of Parliament, where she delivered the Queen’s speech in a hat and coat rather than her usual crown and robes.
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| Arthur Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images |
The Queen was accompanied to the event by her eldest son, the Prince of Wales. The Duke of Edinburgh, who usually attends with her, has been hospitalized on a precaution while dealing with an infection. (Buckingham Palace has assured everyone that there’s no need for alarm.) With Philip’s impending retirement, I’d imagine we’ll be seeing Charles play this role in the future, too.
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| Toby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images |
Because the State Opening had to be rescheduled as a result of the recent elections, the Queen did not wear the grand trappings of state to deliver her speech, but the Imperial State Crown was still present at the event. (I don’t want to jinx anything, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the model for the State Opening for the rest of QEII’s reign. I hope I’m wrong about that, but wearing a crown and robes would be difficult for most of us, let alone a woman who is over ninety.)
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| Arthur Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images |
The Queen did wear her usual daytime jewel combo: pearl and diamond earrings, pearl necklace, and brooch. Congrats to everyone who guessed the Cullinan V Brooch in our earlier poll!
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| Arthur Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images |
After the speech, the Queen and Prince Charles zipped off to Royal Ascot. Look for our coverage of the races later this afternoon!
