Royal prerogative: Ascot and Westminster vie for Queen's favour

The Dikler is a big fan of pomp and ceremony, and being a royalist this means the state opening of parliament is greeted with great excitement every year.

However, it was somewhat disconcerting to read last week that this year’s ceremony will be a ‘dressed down’ affair, with the Queen set to wear what is described as a 'day dress' along with a hat. There will be no ceremonial robes and the imperial crown will be present, but not worn.

Time pressures and the need to rehearse properly have been put forward as the reasons for the lighter version of events this year, and nothing to do with the monarch being 90.