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Queen Elizabeth's speech to the British Parliament on Wednesday was a scaled-back affair — not surprising given the recent terrorist attacks, the Grenfell Tower fire, and the fact that PM Theresa May is still trying to shore up a deal to keep herself in power.
But the more austere affair didn't come without its own quirky and awkward moments — including a cheeky wink from Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, an uncanny royal nod to the European Union, and a hat which got to travel in its own Rolls-Royce.
No bow, but a wink from Corbyn
Mr Corbyn, the Opposition Leader who is currently riding high after a better-than-expected result in the general election, was accused of snubbing the Queen after he was caught not bowing during the procession into the House of Lords.
The longtime republican was among a number of MPs who did not bow, including outgoing Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron.
It drew some sharp criticism online, especially given that Mr Corybn turned his head to the side and gave what looked like a cheeky wink straight afterwards.
But a number of British media outlets have suggested that it was those MPs who bowed that had actually done the wrong thing.
A source in Mr Corbyn's team told the Guardian "he was following protocol," with the outlet pointing out that then-prime minister David Cameron didn't bow to the Queen during last year's speech — or the one before that — either.
Was the Queen wearing an EU hat?
All eyes were on the Queen as she delivered her speech outlining the government's plan for a softer-than-expected Brexit.
But some were less focused on the Queen's words, and more on Her Majesty's choice of blue dress and headwear — a blue hat with yellow decorations reminiscent of the European Union flag.
A number of commentators were divided as to whether the choice was deliberate or merely a coincidence.
Among those in the former camp, Guy Verhofstadt — the European Parliament's lead negotiator on Brexit — who had this to say:
Crown gets its own car
The Queen's more "casual" wardrobe choice left no room for the crown.
But the jewel-encrusted symbol of royalty still played a small role in the proceedings and, as per tradition, even got its own car — a Rolls-Royce — to Parliament from the Tower of London.
Despite it being a normal part of the ceremony, some social users still suggested the absurdity of promising to have less pageantry than normal, but still allowing the crown to have its own car.
Topics: royal-and-imperial-matters, human-interest, world-politics, community-and-society, united-kingdom