Royal Bargemaster Helps To Open Parliament - Mr. W. Phelps (centre) with Ernest Barry and R. T. Turk, Royal Watermen, on their way from St. James Palace to the House of Lords. W. T. "Bossy" Phelps, the King's Bargemaster, today did his share in the State Opening of Parliament. It was his duty to carry the Crown out of St. James Palace and hand it to the Lord Chamberlain to take it to the Houses of Parliament, where the Royal Bargemaster again takes the crown and carries it to the entrance to the House of Lords. November 3, 1936. (Photo by Keystone).