Royal fans were left rolling their eyes after a mobile phone rang just before the King’s speech today.
The 75-year-old monarch addressed MPs and peers in the House of Lords in London this morning for the first time since Labour’s landslide election victory.
The ceremony and the delivery of a speech by royalty dates back to the 16th century.
But a technological mishap before the event began served as a stark reminder that today’s world is very different from the days of the 16th century, when the first State Opening of Parliament took place, with someone’s phone ringing throughout the historic building.
The room fell silent as King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived dressed in sumptuous royal finery, including state robes and the dazzling, jewel-encrusted imperial state crown.
The sound of a mobile phone could be heard ringing through the historic building today as King Charles sat down.
The ceremony and the delivery of a speech by royalty dates back to the 16th century.
It was also caught on camera, with images showing King Charles sitting on the throne alongside his wife Queen Camilla, who is celebrating her 77th birthday today, and several of his trusted page boys for the historic occasion.
Several pages of honour helped to arrange the King’s robes. Schoolchildren William Sackville, Ralph Tollemache, Alfred Wellesley, Guy Tryon, William Keswick and Arthur Elliot, who wore traditional uniforms, helped the King and Queen prepare for the historic occasion.
However, just as they finish fixing Charles’ robes, a cell phone is heard ringing for a couple of seconds, before quickly turning off.
The Monarch then said: “Gentlemen, I beg you to take your seats,” before the entire room sat down in their chairs.
This embarrassing moment did not go unnoticed by royal fans, who pointed it out on X, formerly known as Twitter.
One of them joked: “Oops, the mobile phone rang during the opening of Parliament. I think that’s treason.”
Another wrote: ‘Mobile phone rings as King Charles sits on his throne in his robes in the House of Lords – very 21st century Britain.’
The 75-year-old monarch addressed MPs and peers in the House of Lords in London this morning for the first time since Labour’s landslide election victory.
The Monarch then said: “My lords, I beg you to take your seats,” before the entire room sat down in their chairs.
This embarrassing moment did not go unnoticed by royal fans, who pointed it out on X, formerly known as Twitter.
A third said: ‘A mobile phone rings inside the House of Lords as His Majesty the King arrives to open Parliament.’
However, this is not the first time that a telephone has interrupted the House of Lords.
Last year, Labour peer Lord Woodley apologised after his device beeped and played the Mission Impossible theme tune, just after Lord Douglas Miller was introduced.
Speaking in Parliament, Lord Woodley said: “Firstly, I would like to apologise to the Speaker and in particular to our new Lord Douglas Miller for the ringing on my phone. I have never felt so embarrassed in my life. I am truly sorry.”
Members of the public have also been frustrated by the use of mobile phones by MPs and Lords in the Houses of Parliament,
One of them said: “They set these rules for others. It’s clear that it’s a problem for them. They should follow the same rules they set for others.”
