Film: Queen's arrival at Parliament, 1954

Film clip: the royal couple entering Parliament

Still shots and description

The Queen and Prince Philip enter Parliament, and the Queen takes her place at the head of the parliamentary chamber.

Commentary:

‘It’s a gala day for the Capital. With all the gay colours of a summer throng to greet her, the Queen arrives to open Parliament. She is wearing her fabulous coronation gown. At Westminster, it is traditional that the sovereign has no right of direct entry into the Lower House. In New Zealand, where there is now only a single chamber, the same custom applies. It is to the chamber of the former Upper House that the Queen will summon Members of the House of Representatives to appear before her.’