King Charles gives Princess Anne prestigious role as 'Gold-Stick-in-Waiting' for the King's Speech

7 November 2023, 09:11 | Updated: 7 November 2023, 11:58

The Princess Royal arriving ahead of the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey
The Princess Royal arriving ahead of the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey. Picture: Alamy

By Asher McShane

Princess Anne will assume the role of the King’s ‘protector’ during the first state opening of Parliament of his reign today.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

King Charles, 74, has asked the Princess Royal to ride in the procession as Gold Stick In Waiting - the person responsible for the safety of the monarch.

She carried out the same role during the King’s Coronation in May as she rode from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.

She will follow behind the King and Queen today as the procession makes its way to the Houses of Parliament.

Read more: Crime crackdown and smoking ban: Charles unveils Rishi Sunak's plans in Monarch's first King's Speech

Read more: Government defends King's speech crackdown on crime as long-planned, not electioneering

Read more: 'Tone deaf' and 'insensitive': Former Met chief blasts pro-Palestinian protests on Armistice Day

The State Opening of Parliament formally marks the start of the parliamentary year while the Monarch’s Speech sets out the government’s legislative agenda for the coming session.

The King reads out a list of laws to be introduced on behalf of the Prime Minister and Government.

Anne will walk alongside the King into the House of Lords today ahead of his speech.

The position is a great honour and seen as a reward for her loyalty to Charles.

A royal source told The Mirror it “further cements the Princess Royal’s role as his most trusted lieutenant.”

Anne is reported to have been “incredibly honoured” when her brother revealed he wanted her to be his personal bodyguard at the Coronation on May 6.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Kemi Badenoch has urged the Government to make it harder for immigrants to secure permanent residency or a UK passport.

Tories pledge to kick out low-paid and unemployed migrants from UK

Exclusive
Beware of Phone Snatchers warning by Metropolitan Police stencilled on London pavement

Police will get extra powers to speed up search warrants in clampdown on soaring mobile phone thefts

Harvey Willgoose died in the attack at All Saints Catholic High School

Mum of Sheffield school stabbing victim Harvey Willgoose reveals heartbreaking final words

Liam Payne and girlfriend Kate Cassidy attending the premiere of All Of Those Voices at Cineworld in London.

Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy reveals reason she left star in Argentina

Police refuse to return stolen phone to owner because thief 'used it' and device now contained his private information

Police refuse to return stolen phone to owner because thief 'used it' and device now contained his private information

Grenfell Tower where at least 72 people died after a fire broke out on June 14th 2017 in North Kensington with the slogan 'Forever in our Hearts'.

Grenfell Tower to finally be demolished eight years after fire claimed lives of 72 people

The order is titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” Trump said.

'The war on women's sport is over': Trump signs executive order banning transgender athletes from competing

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky says any peacekeeping force for Ukraine needs American soldiers.

Zelensky warns any peacekeeping force for Ukraine without US troops would be a 'win for Russia'

Two planes collide at Seattle Airport as Japan Airlines' wing slices through tail of Delta aircraft

Two planes collide at Seattle Airport as Japan Airlines' wing slices through tail of Delta aircraft

Russia's President Vladimir Putin

Ukraine accuses Russian spies of orchestrating bomb attacks on army offices

Australian footballer Sam Kerr arrives outside the Crown Court ahead of her trial for a racial harassment case.

Chelsea striker Sam Kerr says police treated her differently due to skin colour in star's harassment trial

Sir Geoff Hurst and PH Moriarty

Tributes pour in as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels star P.H Moriarty dies aged 85

Two fires are believed to have been caused by the catastrophic failures of lithium batteries for an e-scooter and e-bike killed two dogs and gutted two homes.

Two dogs die and two homes destroyed in separate e-bike and e-scooter blazes just hours apart

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Donald Trump insists 'everybody loves' proposal for US Gaza 'take over' - as UAE rejects idea of evicting Palestinians

Millie Evans, from Seacomb in the Wirral, was last seen in her home town at 6.40pm yesterday, according to Merseyside Police.

Fears grow for missing mum, 18, and baby daughter as police launch urgent appeal

Nigel Farage has said he finds Donald Trump's plan for the US to own Gaza "very appealing".

Nigel Farage says Donald Trump's plan to 'take over Gaza' sounds 'very appealing'