Call of duty...Queen's loyalty to King as State Opening falls on her 77th birthday

THE Queen put service above all else on her birthday as she supported the King at the State Opening of Parliament yesterday.

- Emily Ferguson

Camilla joined His Majesty for the traditional occasion that marks the formal start of Parliament, wearing an off-white crepe embroidered dress by Fiona Clare and the George IV diadem tiara.

The event, at which the monarch sets out the Government's agenda for the coming session, happened to fall on the Queen's 77th birthday. However, she got on with her duty without complaint.

It was the same sense of commitment she has shown all year, quietly supporting the King through his cancer diagnosis while undertaking her royal duties in public.

Beaming from the Diamond State Jubilee Carriage as the couple left Buckingham Palace to make their way to the Palace of Westminster, Her Majesty waved to the thousands gathered along the route to witness all the pomp and pageantry.

The meanwhile, King, looked sombre and tired, having returned to London after the couple's twoday visit to the Channel Islands.

In the Glass Coach following behind were two of Camilla's closest friends, her Queen's Companions the Marchioness of Lansdowne and Lady Sarah Keswick.

Arriving at the Sovereign's Entrance, the Queen tentatively stepped down from the impressive carriage but she was no longer wearing an ankle support, having worn a bandage in Guernsey the day before due to an ankle sprain.