Cap of maintenance
Videos
Typical of British heraldry, a cap of maintenance, known in heraldic language as a chapeau gules turned up ermine, is a ceremonial cap of crimson velvet lined with ermine, which is worn or carried by
Angela Smith, Baroness Smith of Basildon with the cap in 2024
State Opening of Parliament
Videos
The State Opening of Parliament is a ceremonial event which formally marks the beginning of each session of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. At its core is the Monarch's "gracious speech from the
Cap of maintenance
…as a mark of special privilege. A cap of maintenance is one of the insignia of the British sovereign and is carried directly before the monarch at the State Opening of Parliament. In recent times this duty has routinely been performed by the Leader of the House of Lords. The Crown, the Cap of Maintenance and the Sword of State…
The 2024 State Opening of Parliament.
The Palace of Westminster is home of the two houses of the British Parliament, and it is to here that the monarch travels to open parliament.
Yeomen of the Guard embarking on their traditional search of the cellars prior to the State Opening (2024).
Queen Alexandra's State Coach carrying the Imperial State Crown, which is visible through the central window