Sir Lindsay Hoyle and his team have been pictured outside Speaker’s House ahead of their procession to Westminster Abbey – replicating a traditional line-up that has been a feature of recent Coronations.
Just as his predecessors had gathered 70 years ago, Mr Speaker stood for the photo with the Serjeant at Arms carrying the mace, the Speaker’s Chaplain, Speaker’s Secretary, senior Doorkeepers, plus a Major from the Household Cavalry.
Unlike similar photographs taken in 1911, for the Coronation of George V; in 1937 for the Coronation of George VI, and in 1953, for the Coronation of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Lindsay and his team did not travel in the Speaker’s State Coach.
Instead, the Commons Speaker processed the short distance to the Abbey from Parliament on foot – while his coach, which is now a heritage item, is on display in Westminster Hall.
In addition to his traditional court dress, and black and gold Robe of State, Sir Lindsay wore a lace jabot and cuffs – made in Honiton, Devon, for Speaker Bernard Weatherill (Speaker 1983-1992) – to their first ever Coronation.