Queen Elizabeth showed off not one but two of her most spectacular crowns at the State Opening of Parliament in London yesterday.
The 87-year-old monarch arrived by carriage in the stunning George VI State Diadem, which is studded with 1333 diamonds and 169 pearls.
Once she arrived at the Houses of Parliaments, she changed into the much more lavish Imperial State Crown, encrusted with 2868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and five rubies.
The Opening of Parliament is the only time a monarch wears the state crown, except for their coronation.
The Queen in her two finest crowns.
The monarch arrived by carriage from Buckingham Palace.
She also wore Queen Victoria’s pearl earrings and Diamond Jubilee diamond necklace.
The State Opening of Parliament is one of the biggest events in the Queen’s year.
She wore the Angela Kelly dress she wore in her Diamond Jubilee portrait.
The monarch staved off the chill in a white fur stole.
The Imperial State Crown in a carriage on its way from the Tower of London.
The crown contains famous diamond the Second Star of Africa, or Cullinan II.
The Queen’s crown and cape weigh a combined 8kg.
The Queen gave her annual speech.
The Queen wore the Robe of the State, made of fur and velvet with a 6m train.
It is the first time Prince Charles has attended the event in 17 years.
Hours later, the Queen ditched her finery for the Windsor Horse Show.
She swapped her crowns for a simple headscarf.
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