The Queen’s decision to dispense with much of the customary ritual at the State Opening of Parliament on 21 June prompted the following letter from Alistair Lexden which was published inThe Times on June 22.
Sir, Though this may be only the second time that the Queen has “scaled back” the state opening of parliament (News, June 21), her great-great grandmother did it constantly in the latter part of her reign. On the rare occasions that she opened parliament in person, Queen Victoria never put on robes or crown. An eye-witness recorded in January 1886 that she wore “deep black trimmed with ermine at the edges” with “the royal robes of crimson velvet and white silk embroidered in gold” being draped over the throne. The crown was carried on a cushion by one of the great officers of state. Should not our 91 year-old monarch consider making dress-down standard practice?
Lord Lexden
House of Lords