Queen Elizabeth II formally opened a new session of Parliament this morning with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at her side.
The State Opening of Parliament forms the most colourful event of the Parliamentary year and is steeped in tradition and customs dating back centuries and also provides spectacular imagery.
The ceremony which also saw one of the Queen's page boys faint as the monarch outlined the government's proposed laws for the last time before the 2015 General Election.
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It used to take place in the autumn each year, but since 2010 it is usually scheduled for May thanks to the introduction of five-year fixed term parliaments.
This year, the Queen's speech was delayed to June to prevent a clash with the local and European elections, adding a major event to the 88-year-old Queen's which sees her carry out a state visit to France later in the week.
State Opening of Parliament 2014
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (L) delivers the Queen's Speech from the Throne in the House of Lords next to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (R) during the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster (credit:Getty Images)
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Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall look towards a page boy who fainted as Queen Elizabeth II delivers her speech during the State Opening of Parliament (credit:Getty Images)
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth delivers her speech in the House of Lords, during the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster (credit:PA)
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (CL) delivers the Queen's Speech from the Throne in the House of Lords flanked by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (CR) and Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (L) during the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London on June 4, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
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Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh proceed through the Royal Gallery during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster on June 4, 2014 in London, England. Queen Elizabeth II is to unveil the coalition government's legislative programme in a speech delivered to Members of Parliament and Peers in The House of Lords. Proposed legislation is expected to be introduced on a 5p charge for plastic bags in England, funding of workplace pensions, new state-funded childcare subsidy and reforms to speed up infrastructure projects. (credit:Getty Images)
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Queen Elizabeth II arrives in the new Diamond Jubilee State coach, to deliver her speech during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. (credit:PA)
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Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh proceed through the Royal Gallery during the State Opening of Parliament, in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. (credit:PA)
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh ride in the Diamond Jubilee state coach from Buckingham Palace to Parliament to attend the State Opening of Parliament in London (credit:Getty Images)
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (R) rides with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (L) in the Diamond Jubilee state coach from Buckingham Palace to Parliament to attend the State Opening of Parliament (credit:Getty Images)
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The Imperial State Crown which will be worn by Queen Elizabeth II as she delivers her speech during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. (credit:PA)
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Members of the Household Cavalry ride through a rain shower during the State Opening of Parliament outside the House of Lords (credit:Getty Images)
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh ride in the Diamond Jubilee state coach from Buckingham Palace to Parliament (credit:Getty Images)
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A military procession escorts the carriage of Queen Elizabeth II as it processes down the Mall (credit:Getty Images)
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A Guard of Honour leaves Buckingham Palace prior to the depature of Queen Elizabeth II to attend the State Opening of Parliament (credit:Getty Images)
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British Prime Minister David Cameron (L) Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg (C) Leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband (R) walk through the Members' Lobby (credit:Getty Images)
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The royal procession makes its way along The Mall, London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. (credit:PA)
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A carriage carrying the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall leaves Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. (credit:PA)
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Members of the Guard of Honour process down The Mall, London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. (credit:PA)
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Members of the Scots Guards process past Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament 2014
State Opening of Parliament 2014(01 of46)
The new carriage carrying Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh leaves Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament 2014(02 of46)
The new carriage carrying Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh leaves Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament 2014(03 of46)
A carriage carrying the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall leaves Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament 2014(04 of46)
The royal procession makes its way along The Mall, London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament 2014(05 of46)
The Imperial State Crown leaves Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament 2014(06 of46)
The new carriage carrying Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh leaves Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament 2014(07 of46)
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh proceed through the Royal Gallery during the State Opening of Parliament, in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament 2014(08 of46)
The new carriage carrying Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh leaves Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament 2014(09 of46)
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh proceed through the Royal Gallery during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament 2014(10 of46)
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh proceed through the Royal Gallery during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament 2014(11 of46)
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh proceed through the Royal Gallery during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament 2014(12 of46)
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh proceed through the Royal Gallery during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament 2014(13 of46)
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh proceed through the Royal Gallery during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament 2014(14 of46)
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh proceed through the Royal Gallery during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. (credit:PA)
Queen Elizabeth II Attends The State Opening Of Parliament(15 of46)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 04: British Prime Minister David Cameron (L) Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg (C) Leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband (R) walk through the Members' Lobby before the Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament on June 4, 2014 in London, England. Queen Elizabeth II will unveil the coalition government's legislative programme in a speech delivered to Members of Parliament and Peers in The House of Lords. Proposed legislation is expected to be introduced on a 5p charge for plastic bags in England, funding of workplace pensions, new state-funded childcare subsidy and reforms to speed up infrastructure projects. (Photo by Dan Kitwood - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II Attends The State Opening Of Parliament(16 of46)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 04: British Prime Minister David Cameron and Leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband talk as they walk through the Members' Lobby before the Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament on June 4, 2014 in London, England. Queen Elizabeth II will unveil the coalition government's legislative programme in a speech delivered to Members of Parliament and Peers in The House of Lords. Proposed legislation is expected to be introduced on a 5p charge for plastic bags in England, funding of workplace pensions, new state-funded childcare subsidy and reforms to speed up infrastructure projects. (Photo by Dan Kitwood - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh proceed through the Royal Gallery during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament 2014(18 of46)
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh proceed through the Royal Gallery during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. (credit:PA)
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Members of the Household Cavalry ride through a rain shower during the State Opening of Parliament outside the House of Lords, London. (credit:PA)
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (R) rides with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (L) in the Diamond Jubilee state coach from Buckingham Palace to Parliament to attend the State Opening of Parliament in London on June 4, 2014. The State Opening of Parliament marks the formal start of the parliamentary year and the Queen's Speech sets out the governments agenda for the coming session. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh ride in the Diamond Jubilee state coach from Buckingham Palace to Parliament to attend the State Opening of Parliament in London on June 4, 2014. The State Opening of Parliament marks the formal start of the parliamentary year and the Queen's Speech sets out the governments agenda for the coming session. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 04: A Guard of Honour leaves Buckingham Palace prior to the depature of Queen Elizabeth II to attend the State Opening of Parliament on June 4, 2014 in London, England. Queen Elizabeth II will unveil the coalition government's legislative programme in a speech delivered to Members of Parliament and Peers in The House of Lords. Proposed legislation is expected to be introduced on a 5p charge for plastic bags in England, funding of workplace pensions, new state-funded childcare subsidy and reforms to speed up infrastructure projects. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (C) rides with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (R) in the Diamond Jubilee state coach from Buckingham Palace to Parliament to attend the State Opening of Parliament in London on June 4, 2014. The State Opening of Parliament marks the formal start of the parliamentary year and the Queen's Speech sets out the governments agenda for the coming session. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh ride in the Diamond Jubilee state coach from Buckingham Palace to Parliament to attend the State Opening of Parliament in London on June 4, 2014. The State Opening of Parliament marks the formal start of the parliamentary year and the Queen's Speech sets out the governments agenda for the coming session. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Queen Elizabeth II arrives aboard the new Diamond Jubilee Coach to attend the State Opening of Parliament at the House of Lords, London. (credit:PA)
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Members of the Guard of Honour mass in front of Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. (credit:PA)
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Members of the Guard of Honour process past Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. (credit:PA)
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Members of the Scots Guards process past Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. (credit:PA)
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Members of the Guard of Honour process down The Mall, London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. (credit:PA)
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Members of the media photograph Yeoman of the Guard, wearing traditional uniform, during a rehearsal for the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London. (credit:PA)
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Yeoman of the Guard, wearing traditional uniform, walk through the Royal Gallery during a rehearsal for the State Opening of Parliament, in the House of Lords, London. (credit:PA)
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Yeoman of the Guard, wearing traditional uniform, walk through the Royal Gallery during a rehearsal for the State Opening of Parliament, in the House of Lords, London. (credit:PA)
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An Order of Service booklet resting on a chair during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster, London. (credit:PA)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 04: HRH Queen Elizabeth II leaves Buckingham Palace to attend the State Opening of Parliament on June 4, 2014 in London, England. Queen Elizabeth II will unveil the coalition government's legislative programme in a speech delivered to Members of Parliament and Peers in The House of Lords. Proposed legislation is expected to be introduced on a 5p charge for plastic bags in England, funding of workplace pensions, new state-funded childcare subsidy and reforms to speed up infrastructure projects. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II Attends The State Opening Of Parliament(35 of46)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 04: A military procession escorts the carriage of Queen Elizabeth II as it processes down the Mall to attend the State Opening of Parliament on June 4, 2014 in London, England. Queen Elizabeth II will unveil the coalition government's legislative programme in a speech delivered to Members of Parliament and Peers in The House of Lords. Proposed legislation is expected to be introduced on a 5p charge for plastic bags in England, funding of workplace pensions, new state-funded childcare subsidy and reforms to speed up infrastructure projects. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II Attends The State Opening Of Parliament(36 of46)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 04: HRH Queen Elizabeth II leaves Buckingham Palace to attend the State Opening of Parliament on June 4, 2014 in London, England. Queen Elizabeth II will unveil the coalition government's legislative programme in a speech delivered to Members of Parliament and Peers in The House of Lords. Proposed legislation is expected to be introduced on a 5p charge for plastic bags in England, funding of workplace pensions, new state-funded childcare subsidy and reforms to speed up infrastructure projects. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II Attends The State Opening Of Parliament(37 of46)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 04: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales leaves Buckingham Palace to attend the State Opening of Parliament on June 4, 2014 in London, England. Queen Elizabeth II will unveil the coalition government's legislative programme in a speech delivered to Members of Parliament and Peers in The House of Lords. Proposed legislation is expected to be introduced on a 5p charge for plastic bags in England, funding of workplace pensions, new state-funded childcare subsidy and reforms to speed up infrastructure projects. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
State Opening of Parliament - Preparations(38 of46)
Security preparations take place at the Palace of Westminster in London, ready for tomorrow's State Opening of Parliament Queen Elizabeth II. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament - Preparations(39 of46)
Security preparations take place at the Palace of Westminster in London, ready for tomorrow's State Opening of Parliament Queen Elizabeth II. (credit:PA)
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Woods from various celebrated buildings and vessels have been used to inlay of one of the doors of the new Diamond Jubilee state coach which will be used by Queen Elizabeth II during the State Opening of Parliament on June 4. (credit:PA)
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A part of the Stone of Destiny has been placed under the seats in the new Diamond Jubilee state coach which will be used by Queen Elizabeth II during the State Opening of Parliament on June 4. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament - Preparations(42 of46)
Made from wood reclaimed from HMS Victory the reproduction of the crown sits atop the new Diamond Jubilee state coach which will be used by Queen Elizabeth II during the State Opening of Parliament on June 4. (credit:PA)
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The new Diamond Jubilee state coach which will be used by Queen Elizabeth II during the State Opening of Parliament on June 4. (credit:PA)
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The two lanterns on display to the fore of the new Diamond Jubilee state coach which will be used by Queen Elizabeth II during the State Opening of Parliament on June 4. (credit:PA)
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The new Diamond Jubilee state coach which will be used by Queen Elizabeth II during the State Opening of Parliament on June 4. (credit:PA)
State Opening of Parliament - Preparations(46 of46)
A wheel hub of the new Diamond Jubilee state coach which will be used by Queen Elizabeth II during the State Opening of Parliament on June 4. (credit:PA)