The Kings Speech
The King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament is a key event in the British political calendar. It marks the formal beginning of the parliamentary year and is one of the most important constitutional ceremonies in the United Kingdom. The King’s Speech is a speech written by the government and delivered by the Monarch at the State Opening of Parliament. It marks the beginning of a new parliamentary year, or session, and is an opportunity for the government to set out its legislative agenda for the coming months. In the speech, the government will typically set out bills which it intends to introduce to Parliament in the session ahead, as well as other policy priorities which do not require legislation.
The State Opening of Parliament begins with the Monarch’s procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster. The Monarch arrives at the Sovereign’s Entrance to Parliament and subsequently leads the Royal Procession to the chamber of the House of Lords. A senior officer in the House of Lords known as Black Rod will then summon members of the House of Commons into the Lord’s Chamber to listen to the speech. Before entering the Commons chamber, the door is shut in Black Rod’s face and the official will strike the door three times before it is opened. This practice dates back to the Civil War and symbolises the Commons’ independence from the monarchy.
When the Monarch leaves the chamber, a new parliamentary session begins. Members of both the House of Commons and House of Lords will then debate the content of the speech for a number of days before the speech is voted on.
Purpose
- The speech outlines the government’s agenda for the coming parliamentary session.
- It is written by the government and delivered by King Charles III.
Ceremony
- The State Opening of Parliament is a grand and elaborate ceremony steeped in tradition.
- The monarch travels from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster in a State Coach.
- The ceremony takes place in the House of Lords.
Procession and Attendance
- The event involves a formal procession, including the Crown Jewels, escorted by the Household Cavalry.
- Key figures in attendance include members of both Houses of Parliament, the judiciary, diplomats, and other dignitaries.
Key Rituals
- The monarch sits on the throne in the House of Lords and reads the speech from the throne.
- The speech is preceded by various rituals, including the summoning of MPs from the House of Commons by Black Rod, a royal official.
Content of the Speech
- The speech details the legislative agenda and priorities of the government for the forthcoming session.
- It covers a wide range of issues, including economic policies, public services, foreign affairs, and social issues.
After the Speech
- Following the speech, both Houses of Parliament debate its contents over several days.
- These debates are an opportunity for members to discuss and critique the government’s proposed policies and legislative agenda.
The State Opening of Parliament and the King’s Speech are significant not only for their constitutional importance but also for their pageantry and historical significance. Traditions around the Monarch’s speech and the State Opening of Parliament can be traced back to the 16th century. Before the Monarch arrives, the Yeomen of the Guard search the cellars of the Palace of Westminster for explosives to commemorate Guy Fawkes’s gunpowder plot of 1605. The custom of Black Rod banging on the door of the Commons dates back to 1642, when Charles I tried to arrest five MPs, and symbolises the right of the Commons to exclude royal messengers. The Imperial State Crown has 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls, and 4 rubies.