The state opening of Parliament provided a particularly proud moment for one Suffolk father.

While Palace of Westminster police officer David Giesen was providing security at the Sovereign’s Entrance, his son, Trooper Adam Giesen, of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, was just yards away providing the Life Guard for the Queen in the Stair Lining Party.

Sgt Giesen, 48, from Woodbridge, has been a Metropolitan Police officer for 29 years and is now a member of the Palace of Westminster Police, where his duties include providing security in the Houses of Parliament, counter-terrorism and vetting visitors.

It was the first time he had been so closely involved in a state opening of Parliament, and came with the added surprise that Adam was going to be one of nearly 1,300 service personnel on duty, and that his duty post would be in exactly the same place.

He said: “I’m immensely proud of Adam being in the Household Cavalry and it’s fantastic to be working alongside him as we’re part of the same team looking after the safety and security of Her Majesty”

Meanwhile, his 24-year-old son is coming up to four years’ service with the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, based at Knightsbridge. Among his duties, he is a saddler, maintaining the saddles, bridles and other leatherwork for the regiment’s 220 horses. Nearly all new recruits go to the mounted regiment before the operational regiment in Windsor.

Tpr Giesen hopes to be promoted this year and would eventually like to become a Master Saddler in the regiment, which would follow a seven-year apprenticeship.

“It’s great to be working near my dad – we don’t see enough of each other so it’s real luck to be in the same place for such a big occasion,” he said.