The Imperial State Crown, the Cap of Maintenance and the Great Sword of State arrived in their own carriage.
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The leader of the House of Lords stood bearing the "cap of maintenance", which looks a bit like a Santa hat, on a stick.
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The Telegraph adds that a state officer will carry the crown, Sword of State, and Cap of Maintenance — all symbols of the queen's royal cache.
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The Great Sword of State and the Cap of Maintenance, symbols of sovereign power and authority, were carried in front of the queen by two peers.
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Although the Queen will not wear her Imperial State Crown (which features a 317-carat diamond!), it will still appear at the state opening ceremony – carried in to the House of Lords by the officers of state along with the other instruments of state, the Sword of State and Cap of Maintenance.
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Carried in the Queen Alexandra State Coach was the Imperial State crown, the Cap of Maintenance (a symbol of the Soverign authority, which was a gift from the Pope to both Kings Henry VII and to his son King Henry VIII and has been worn en route to coronations) and the Sword of State that dates back to the 17th century.
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As his successor, the Coarb is viewed as a sovereign baron and is granted a unique Cap of Maintenance of Gules doubled Vair to place in his coat of arms.
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Garter stall plate of Arthur Plantagenet, 1st Viscount Lisle. Shield, helm and crest of Edward, the Black Prince, from his tomb in Canterbury Cathedral. Between the lion crest and the helm is a cap of maintenance, now almost entirely decayed. 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 certain persons as a sign of nobility or special honour.
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Arms of the City of York, with quasi-cap of maintenance reversed from usual heraldic orientation. The City of York claims to possess an original medieval cap of maintenance, which is kept and displayed in the Mansion House; whatever its origin, it is in fact a "Bycocket" or "Robin Hood" style of cap with ermine trimmings forming into a split peak at the back and was copied from an heraldic drawing and not from a genuine cap of maintenance. Caps of this style are still worn by the York Swordbearers. The City of York claims the grant of a cap of maintenance from the Yorkist King Richard III (1483–1485)The Mansion House, York, website claims this as a grant from King Richard II in 1393—almost 90 years earlier than Richard III; see The Mansion House, YorkThe History of York website, also claims this as a grant from King Richard II in 1393—almost 90 years earlier than Richard III; see York's coat of arms and incorporates this into its coat of arms as a quasi-crest but reverses it so that the tail or peak faces to dexter (viewer's left), thus further compounding the confusion.
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According to the Oxford English Dictionary a cap of maintenance was granted by the pope to both Kings Henry VII and to his son King Henry VIII 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, nowadays usually by the Leader of the House of Lords. Kings of the United Kingdom wear a cap of maintenance at their coronation, prior to the anointing, as seen most recently at the Coronation of King George VI: it is worn for the journey to Westminster Abbey, for the Procession inside the Abbey and then when seated in the Chair of Estate during the first part of the coronation service. Queens regnant do not wear them on such occasions, but wear instead a diadem, as in the case of Queen Elizabeth II who wore the George IV State Diadem before her coronation.
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His remains are deposited in Catacomb B, Vault 63, in Kensal Green Cemetery, London where his cap of maintenance may be seen inside the vault. His widow was buried at Mountjoy Cemetery in Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight, next to her close companion Miss Charlotte Elliot.
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The confusion as to nomenclature stems from references in early borough charters granting the right to the use of a ceremonial sword which often mentioned in addition the right to a cap of maintenance. However, this was intended to mean that in civic processions a cap of maintenance should be carried along with the sword (and mace), signifying that the mayor was the sovereign's representative. The correct form of use can be seen at the State Opening of Parliament, where it is carried alongside the Sword of State in front of the monarch. It would be quite improper for a commoner to actually wear it.
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A heraldic cap of maintenance. It is worn with the tail facing backwards and is depicted in heraldry with the tail facing to the sinister (viewer's right). heraldic achievement, namely on top of the helm and below the crest. It thus takes the place of the torse.
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The Medieval Museum includes two medieval chambers, the 13th century Choristers’ Hall and the 15th century Mayor's Wine Vault. It also contains the only surviving piece of clothing worn by Henry VIII, a cap of maintenance. This was awarded to the Mayor of Waterford, along with a bearing sword, in 1536.
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Couched shield of arms, a griffin segreant. On a helmet crest, on a cap of maintenance, a griffin. A butress on either side of shield and crest (as supporters) background with sprigs of foliage. Legend: S(IGILLUM) WILLIAM BOTREAUX ("seal of William Botreaux") The Barons Botreaux held a manor at Molland Bottreaux (sic), on the southern foothills of Exmoor.
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The shield, argent, bears St George's Cross upon which are five lions Passant Guardant. The variations depicting the Monarch's recognition of the City's powers of self-government are represented by a Civic Sword and Mace crossed behind the shield. The Chapeau (reversed from usual heraldic orientation - see Cap of maintenance) symbolises the office of Mayor who has the right to bear the Sword and Mace.
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George IV commissioned Rundell & Bridge to make the diadem in 1820 at a cost of £8,216. The fee included a hire charge of £800 for the diamonds but there is no evidence they were ever returned to the jewellers. George IV wore the diadem over his velvet cap of maintenance in the procession to his coronation at Westminster Abbey. These are the equivalent of £ and £ in , respectively.
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Henry Grey became the 3rd Marquess of Dorset in 1530 following the death of his father. Before Henry VIII's death in 1547, Grey became a fixture in court circles. A knight of the Bath, he was the king's sword bearer at Anne Boleyn's coronation in 1533, at Anne of Cleves' arrival in 1540, and at the capture of Boulogne in 1545. Twice he bore the Cap of Maintenance in parliament.
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Arms of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, KG King Henry VIII aged 21, on his way to open Parliament on 4 February 1512. Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, KG, walks ahead carrying the Sword of State. Another peer holds the Cap of Maintenance. Detail from The Procession of Parliament 1512, Trinity College Library, Cambridge Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham (3 February 1478 – 17 May 1521) was an English nobleman.
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The King is preceded by the Cap of Maintenance, borne by the Lord High Constable and the Sword of State, borne by his son. The King himself carries a scepter and walks beneath a richly- decorated canopy supported by four monks. His train is borne by the Lord Great Chamberlain, who is assisted by the Lord Chamberlain (with his white wand of office). The Lords Temporal follow, among whom can be seen the Lord Steward (carrying his white wand of office).
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On three occasions, in March 1974, 2017 and December 2019, the State Opening has been conducted in a "dressed-down" manner, due to the snap general elections held in those years. This form of ceremony has been marked by several changes. Most noticeably, the Queen attended in day dress, rather than the traditional ceremonial robes of state. The Imperial State Crown is carried in front of the Queen, in the same manner as the Sword of State and Cap of Maintenance.
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Four symbolic flowers of each country of the United Kingdom were also depicted, imitating one of the definitive stamp designs of King George VI's reign. Dorothy Wilding's photograph depicts The Queen wearing the State Diadem made for George IV in the 1820s, which was designed to be worn outside a Cap of Maintenance. This diadem was also worn by Queen Victoria on stamps such as the Penny Black. The original photograph was re-touched to bring the diadem further forward on The Queen's head.
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In many English towns where the privilege of a sword was granted by the Crown (for example York, Bristol, Coventry, Lincoln, Newcastle upon Tyne, Norwich, Worcester, Hereford, Exeter and HullCeremonial Costume by Alan Mansfield. London: A & C Black, 1980.) the swordbearer wears a variant of the City of London Muscovy Hat, although some wear other sorts of eccentric headgear which they mistakenly also call a "cap of maintenance". However, the 'grant' is a grant of arms and a heraldic charge rather than an actual object.
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Scottish feudal barons were entitled to a red cap of maintenance (chapeau) turned up ermine if petitioning for a grant or matriculation of a coat of arms between the 1930s and 2004. This chapeau is identical to the red cap worn by an English baron, but without the silver balls or gilt. This is sometimes depicted in armorial paintings between the shield and the helmet. Additionally, if the baron is the head of a family, he may include a chiefly coronet which is similar to a ducal coronet, but with four strawberry leaves.
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Scottish heraldic chapeau azure In the Anglophone heraldries, a "chapeau" or cap of maintenance is a specific kind of hat.See for example the pictures and verbal descriptions in the introduction to the Lyon Court 'Information leaflet Number 2 - Crest Badges'; and examples in the coats of The Convention of The Baronage of Scotland and of Failsworth Urban District Council in England. It occurs as a charge, but also more importantly as an exterior ornament, signifying rank. The use of the chapeau in English heraldry is not as clear cut and regulated as in Scottish heraldry.
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In more general terms, the velvet and ermine lining of a crown (or of the coronet of a peer) is itself sometimes called a 'cap of maintenance', and is technically a separate item from the crown itself. It may have had a purely practical origin being used to help a crown fit more firmly or to protect the head from bare metal on the crown. As peers' coronets are displayed affronté, or facing forward, the only visible parts are the front of the ermine trim and the velvet top (with a gold tassel) - the ermine tails would be invisible.
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An azure chapeau Previously, between the 1930s and 2004, when new arms were granted or a matriculation of existing arms took note of a barony, the owner was given a chapeau or cap of maintenance as part of his armorial achievement on petitioning for the same. This chapeau is described as "gules doubled ermine" for barons in possession of the caput of the barony. An azure chapeau is appropriate for the heirs of ancient baronial families who are no longer owners of the estates. This chapeau was a relatively recent armorial invention of the late Lord Lyon Thomas Innes of Learney.
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A number of English cities and towns refer to the use of a 'cap of maintenance' as worn by a ceremonial officer, most usually a swordbearer. These are based most often on a design worn by the swordbearer of the Lord Mayor of the City of London. However, this item is called by the City of London authorities a "Muscovy hat" and is a historic reference to the mediaeval trade with the Baltic. The Muscovy hat served as the crest of the City of London until replaced in the nineteenth century by the present crest of A dragon's wing charged with the Cross of St George.
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Before the arrival of the sovereign, the Imperial State Crown is carried to the Palace of Westminster in its own State Coach from the Victoria Tower, the Crown is passed by the sovereign's Bargemaster to the Comptroller of the Lord Chamberlain's office, under the watchful eye of the Crown Jeweller. It is then carried, along with the Great Sword of State and the Cap of Maintenance, to be displayed in the Royal Gallery. Also brought in this procession, usually in King Edward VII's Town Coach, are two maces, separate from the three used by parliament, to be displayed by the Sergeants-at-Arms in the Royal Procession.
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The Earl's effigy is dressed in chain mail and full plate armour with a loose military tabard over which he wears the mantle of the Order of the Garter while on his left leg is the Garter itself. His head wears a basic form of coronet and rests on his tilt-heaume on top of which is the Manners crest of a peacock in pride on a Cap of Maintenance. The feet rest on a unicorn, from which the horn is now missing. The effigy of the countess is dressed in a gown and a short cape and wears an ermine trimmed mantle fastened by a cordon whose ends reach almost to her feet, under which is a griffon.
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Male sovereigns up to and including George VI have traditionally worn a crimson cap of maintenance for the opening procession and when seated in the Chair of Estate during the first part of the service. Female sovereigns (and some female consorts) have traditionally worn the George IV State Diadem, first worn by its namesake, George IV. For the Anointing, the sovereign is bareheaded, and remains so until the Crowning. Monarchs are usually crowned with St Edward's Crown but some have chosen to use other crowns as it weighs 2.23 kg (4.9 lb). For the final part of the service, and the processions that follow, it is exchanged for the lighter Imperial State Crown.
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'The Royal Mews', Pitkin, 1979 & 1990 It is usually driven four-in-hand by a coachman. Like all the State Coaches it has a variety of uses, but perhaps its best-known regular duty is to convey the Imperial State Crown (together with the Sword of State, the Cap of Maintenance and their respective bearers) to and from the Palace of Westminster for the annual State Opening of Parliament. (In this instance it is always accompanied by The Queen's Bargemaster and Watermen acting as footmen, a reminder of the days when the Crown Jewels were invariably conveyed from the Tower of London by river for State occasions.) In transit, like the monarch herself, the crown and insignia are entitled to a Household Cavalry escort and receive a royal salute.
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At this time, and indeed in previous centuries, the procession at a state funeral was very clearly a state procession: thus, as well as members of the late monarch's household, it usually included peers, privy counsellors, the judiciary and other office-holders. When King William IV attended the funeral of his late brother George IV, the Sword of State and Cap of Maintenance were carried before him, as at the State Opening of Parliament. Until the 20th century, monarchs by custom did not attend the funerals of their predecessors; William IV was an exception: not only did he attend, but he published a personal message of thanks in the Gazette for all who had participated. It was also rare for women to be seen in attendance, though the women of Queen Anne's royal household did walk in her funeral procession in 1714.
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The grandest entrance to the Palace of Westminster is the Sovereign's Entrance beneath the Victoria Tower. It was designed for the use of the monarch, who travels from Buckingham Palace by carriage every year for the State Opening of Parliament. The Imperial State Crown, which is worn by the sovereign for the ceremony, as well as the Cap of Maintenance and the Sword of State, which are symbols of royal authority and are borne before the monarch during the procession, also travel to the Palace by coach, accompanied by members of the Royal Household; the regalia, as they are collectively known, arrive some time before the monarch and are exhibited in the Royal Gallery until they are needed. The Sovereign's Entrance is also the formal entrance used by visiting dignitaries, as well as the starting point of public tours of the Palace.
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The use of St George's Cross shows the strong English influences and the former importance of the city of York when King Edward III made it the capital during the fighting against Scotland. The five lions represent acknowledgement of the City's strong support for the Monarchy. It is thought that it was during the reign of Edward III that the coat of arms was first granted, although Francis Drake, in his history of the city, claims that the coat of arms is much older, originally consisting of only the cross of St George to which the five lions were added in the reign of William the Conqueror in recognition of the five magistrates who defended the city against him in 1070. The crossed Sword & Mace with the Cap of Maintenance refer to the creation of the office of Lord Mayor of York in the 14th century by King Richard II. The King had presented a sword to the City in 1387 to be used in civic ceremonies and, in 1397, the right to also carry the mace was ensconced in a royal charter.
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See catalogue entry, royal collection The Cap of Maintenance and Sword of State are borne by peers standing before the monarch on the left and right respectively; the Lord Great Chamberlain stands alongside, bearing his white wand of office, near the Garter King of Arms in his tabard displaying the royal arms (Sir Thomas Wriothesley himself, the illustrator).Catalogue entry from 'Royal Treasures, A Golden Jubilee Celebration', London, 2002. per catalogue entry, royal collection Members of the Royal retinue are arrayed behind the King (top right). In the main body of the Chamber, the Bishops are seated on benches to the King's right wearing their parliamentary robes, with the Mitred Abbots behind them. The Lords Temporal are seated to the King's left and on the cross-bench, the status of peers is indicated by the number of miniver bars (white fur edged with gold oak-leaf lace) on their peerage robes: 4 for a duke, 3½ for a marquess, 3 for an earl, 2½ for a viscount, and 2 for a baron.
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