Alert – Charles gives Princess Anne prestigious role as his bodyguard and ‘Gold-Stick-in-Waiting’ for the King’s Speech as a reward for her unwavering loyalty

King Charles will have Princess Anne as his bodyguard when he makes his first speech opening Parliament as monarch, it is claimed.

His Majesty, 74, will be joined by his younger sister when he travels to the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday to deliver the King’s Speech, the Mirror reports.

While Charles and his wife Camilla will make the journey from Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State coach, which carried them to his coronation at Westminster Abbey, the Princess Royal will travel in a separate carriage behind them.

In doing so, the 73-year-old will be the ‘Gold-Stick-in-Waiting’ – reprising a role she took for her brother’s coronation, although at the event in May she rode on horseback.

At Tuesday’s ceremony Anne will walk alongside Charles into the House of Lords, where he will deliver a speech outlining the Government’s legislative plans for the session ahead.

The position is a reward for her loyalty to Charles, with a royal source telling the Mirror: ‘This is a fantastic addition by the King and further cements the Princess Royal’s role as his most trusted lieutenant.’

Anne did join the late Queen for a number of State Openings of Parliament when she was younger, but this will be the first time she enters the chamber alongside the monarch since 1985.

It will be another responsibility for the King’s eldest sibling, who was made a Counsellor of State alongside her younger brother Prince Edward after Charles ascended to the throne. 

This means that if the monarch becomes ill, is abroad or unable to carry out his duties, she is able to step in in his place.

At the ceremony on Tuesday, Charles is set to wear the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State. Queen Elizabeth II had worn the same headpiece, but in later years had it placed on a velvet pillow next to her as it become too heavy for her.

It has not been confirmed what Anne will wear, but it could be similar to the outfit she donned when acting the same role at the coronation on May 6. 

On that occasion she dressed in full regalia as Colonel of the Blues and Royals, beneath a green velvet robe, although she dispensed with the latter when she rode on horseback away from Westminster Abbey after the ceremony.

It was reported that Anne had been ‘incredibly honoured’ when her brother revealed he wanted her to be his personal bodyguard. 

A source at the time claimed: ‘The direction of the King’s decision is clear for all to see.

‘He is rewarding the Princess Royal for her loyalty and her unwavering devotion to duty above all else.

‘The King values his sister as a trusted lieutenant and this is the perfect example of such a relationship.’

The Princess Royal wore her Blues and Royals uniform with the dark green Thistle Mantle, and the Thistle Collar, Garter Sash, Garter Star, Thistle Star, GCVO Star, full sized medals, KCVO Star and Companion of the Order of the Bath neck decoration.

The Thistle cloak is made from deep green silk velvet with a lining of white taffeta, and features a hand embroidered gold badge and garter blue velvet hood.

After the ceremony, the Gold State Coach carrying the King and Queen was in the middle of a household procession of Household Cavalry troopers from the Blues and Royals and Life Guards on horseback.

Historically, household troops guarded the sovereign and they performed the role once again today. They were joined by 18 representatives of countries where Charles is King, who flanked the carriage.

Upon arriving at Buckingham Palace, the Princess Royal led a royal salute from members of the Household Cavalry, before joining her brother and other members of the working Royal Family on the balcony.

On Tuesday Princess Anne will be present in the room when Charles gives his speech outlining what plans the Government has for the session ahead.

The address, which is written by the Governemtn, will be delivered from the Throne in the House of Lords.

However, it is also expected to contain Charles’s personal words about his mother.

When Queen Elizabeth gave her first State Opening of Parliament speech in November 1952, she spoke of her late father’s ‘selfless devotion to his duties’.

She had said it would be her ‘constant endeavour’ to follow that standard.

The Queen was following in the footsteps of King George V, who at the State Opening in 1911 spoke of the ‘grievous loss’ of his father Edward VII.

When the King porogued Parliament last month, he spoke warmly of his mother.

In a royal address delivered by Lord True, he said: ‘My thoughts turn first to my beloved mother, the late Queen.

‘I wish to thank you for the sympathy and support that has been extended to my family and myself from across both Houses of Parliament, the nation and beyond.

‘My mother set an example of selfless dedication and devotion to the United Kingdom and wider Commonwealth during her long reign, an example to which I rededicated my own life of public service at my accession a little over a year ago.

‘I remain deeply grateful to the expressions of loyalty which were offered at that time.’

When the Monarch leaves, a new parliamentary session starts, which will see service resume as normal in Parliament once again.

Members of both Houses will then debate the contents of the speech and agree an ‘Address in Reply to His Majesty’s Gracious Speech’.

Each House continues the debate over the planned legislative programme for several days, looking at different subject areas.