Inside Charles and Camilla’s carriage at the State Opening of Parliament – as King and Queen post 2023 highlights video and wish the nation a happy new year
Charles III has given a new insight into his first full year as King – sharing footage from his ‘Carriage Cam’ with Queen Camilla during the State Opening of Parliament.
His Majesty is seen talking to his wife and waving to crowds in a rare glimpse inside their horse drawn carriage after it left Buckingham Palace and headed down The Mall on November 7 this year.
The footage is at the start of the King’s first tweet of 2024, reviewing the past 12 months and his duties in the UK and the Commonwealth.
It also contains a number of clips of the Prince and Princess of Wales – but there is nothing of Prince Harry, who attended his father’s coronation in May without his wife Meghan Markle. Prince Andrew is also absent from the montage set to an upbeat dance tune.
King Charles and Queen Camilla inside their carriage on the way to the State Opening of Parliament in November
The royal couple chatted and waved. Camilla wore the same outfit that she wore to the Coronation in May
King and Queen beamed at wellwishers on their final church visit of 2023 yesterday.
The pair have spent the festive period with family in Sandringham. While other members of the Royal Family have now headed off to see in the New Year elsewhere, Charles and Camilla were present for a Sunday morning service on the Norfolk estate. Both wore warm winter coats and carried umbrellas as they walked to St Mary Magdalene’s Church, smiling, waving and chatting to the public.
They were greeted by the Bishop of Norwich, the Right Reverend Graham Usher, and Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams. Camilla opted for a light blue coat, which she paired with a matching hat. She completed her elegant ensemble with black-heeled boots and leather-look gloves.
The King wore a long, dark brown coat and blue trousers along with brown dress shoes and a white shirt.
They will be staying at Sandringham until early in the New Year before travelling up to Birkhall, their Scottish retreat, for the rest of the month, the Mail understands. They can then look forward to a busy 2024, with visits to both Canada and Australia expected.
Their latest trip to St Mary Magdalene’s comes after the Royal Family marked Christmas Day with a traditional service at the church. For the second year running, the disgraced Duke of York was permitted to walk with the family, while his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York appeared in public for the service for the first time in years.