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At the State Opening of Parliament The Queen reads a speech which sets out the Government’s plans
© Press Association

STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

The State Opening of Parliament is the most colourful event of the Parliamentary year.

It is also the most important, because it brings together the three elements of the legislature (the House of Commons, the House of Lords and The Queen). The ceremony therefore represents the Crown in Parliament.

As Head of State, it is the duty of The Queen formally to open each new session of Parliament.

This usually takes place in October or November each year, but sometimes in a different month if a General Election has taken place.

Before The Queen travels to Parliament from Buckingham Palace, certain traditional precautions are observed.

A detachment of the Yeomen of the Guard searches the cellars of the Houses of Parliament.

This tradition dates back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes was arrested whilst preparing to blow up Parliament. Today the Yeomen continue this historic search, in addition to the security checks by police.

Another tradition is the ‘hostage’ MP, a Government whip who is held at Buckingham Palace to guarantee the safe return of the monarch.

The custom dates back to centuries when the monarch and Parliament were on less cordial terms.

The State Opening of Parliament traditionally takes place in October or November.

Spectators can view the procession to Parliament from Buckingham Palace in The Mall and Whitehall.

The ceremony is also broadcast live on BBC television.

Once these precautions have been taken, The Queen travels from Buckingham Palace in a State coach to the Palace of Westminster, usually accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh.

The Imperial State Crown travels in its own carriage, ahead of The Queen, escorted by Royal officials.

On arrival, The Queen puts on the Imperial State Crown and her parliamentary robe ready for the ceremony itself. This takes place in the House of Lords.

Some 250 representatives of the House of Commons are summoned by Black Rod, who acts as The Queen’s Messenger.

By tradition, the door of the House of Commons is slammed in Black Rod’s face. It is then reopened to enable Black Rod to convey the Sovereign’s summons to the Speaker.

This tradition is a reminder of the right of the Commons to exclude everyone but the Sovereign’s messengers.

No monarch has set foot in the Commons since Charles I entered the Commons and tried to arrest five Members of Parliament in 1642.

Members of the Houses of Lords and Commons gather in the chamber of the House of Lords to hear The Queen’s speech
© Press Association

Seated on the throne, The Queen reads The Queen’s Speech.

This is written by the Government of the day, and outlines the legislation which the Government plans to introduce into Parliament in the coming session.

Traditionally, the Sovereign opens Parliament in person. The Queen has opened Parliament every year of her reign except 1959 and 1963, when she was pregnant.


The role of the Sovereign
The Queen’s duties and responsibilities

The Crown Jewels
The regalia used in ceremonies of State

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