November 7, 2023 is a special day for King Charles III. (74). He will officially open the British Parliament with a speech for the first time – just as his mother, Queen Elizabeth II († 96), did year after year for decades. The monarch traditionally marks the official start of the parliamentary year. Before his speech in Parliament, the King will lead a procession through London. In addition to his wife, Queen Camilla (76), according to “Mirror”, his younger sister, Princess Anne (73), will also accompany him – and she will take on a very special role.
Princess Anne is Charles’ “most trusted lieutenant”
As the British newspaper learned from inner circles, Anne will play the role of “golden rod waiting” in the procession. This is now a purely formal but prestigious task that traditionally falls to a person who is entrusted with the monarch’s security – the king’s personal bodyguard, so to speak. Anne already played this role at Charles’ coronation in May. “This is a fantastic addition from the King and cements the Princess Royal’s role as his most trusted lieutenant,” the source explained.
Princess Anne: First opening of parliament in decades
During the procession, Charles and Camilla would travel to Westminster in the “Diamond Jubilee State” carriage, which took them to their coronation in May. Anne should therefore go after them in a carriage. She was to accompany her brother not only on the streets of London, but also in the so-called “House of Lords”.
The 73-year-old was there several times in her youth when her mother, the Queen, opened Parliament, but when she actually accompanies King Charles, it will be Anne’s first time there since 1985.