Mrs. Samantha Dixon MBE MP, Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, is being held “hostage” until King Charles returns to Buckingham Palace today.

As part of tradition, an MP – usually a Vice-Chamberlain of the Household – will stay “hostage” as the King attends the State Opening of Parliament on July 17.

The bizarre tradition dates back to the 1600s when relations between the Parliament and the Royal Family were slightly more strained.

It began following Guy Fawkes’ failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. This took place when he and his supporters planned to blow up the Palace of Westminster when King James I arrived.

The tradition takes place so the King can return to Buckingham Palace safely.

The Parliament website states that it takes places as a “reminder of the violence and intrigue historically surrounding relationships between the commons and the Crown.”

Despite the tradition still standing, the King’s weekly catch-ups with the Prime Minister shows that relations have eased.

As reported by OK!, former Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick previously shared his own experience at being held hostage during the late Queen’s reign.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: “I could do absolutely anything I wanted in Buckingham Palace, I could wander around, I could have a gin and tonic… they didn’t actually lock me up but they made it clear I wasn’t going anywhere.”

As well as being a big day for the King, today also marks Queen Camilla’s 77th birthday.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, a close friend of the Queen said that it isn’t the “tip-top way” that she would be wanting to spend her birthday.

However, they added: “But you won’t ever hear a single word of complaint. About anything, really. For someone who wasn’t born into the Royal Family, she’s got an extraordinary strong sense of duty and the temperament to cope.”

MORE FOLLOWS…