-:Undertaker:-
06-11-2023, 10:56 PM
State Opening of Parliament 2023: The King's Speech
Tomorrow The King will open the last session of this Parliament in his first King's Speech
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32816450
https://live.staticflickr.com/8594/30034601272_f5a8f85d42_b.jpg
King Charles III will deliver the King's Speech as part of the State Opening of Parliament on 7 November 2023.
It will be his first King's Speech since becoming monarch - although he gave the Queen's Speech on behalf of his mother in May 2022.
The King's Speech provides the government with an opportunity to outline its priorities for the months ahead.
Formally called the Speech from the Throne, it is a key part of the State Opening of Parliament ceremony, which marks the start of the parliamentary year.
The next session of Parliament is likely to be the last before the general election, which must take place by January 2025.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/NINTCHDBPICT000652538953.jpg
Traditionally, the State Opening begins with a procession in which the King travels from Buckingham Palace to Westminster by carriage.
On arrival, he uses the Sovereign's Entrance, reserved for the monarch.
The King then processes to the throne in the House of Lords.
MPs are summoned to the Lords by Black Rod, an official position currently held by Sarah Clarke.
Before entering the House of Commons, Black Rod has the door shut in their face, symbolising the chamber's independence from the monarchy.
https://unherd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/House-of-Lords.png
The speech sets out the laws the government wants to get through Parliament in the coming year.
MPs, peers and other dignitaries in the House of Lords generally listen in silence.
Traditionally, the government MP holding the position of vice-chamberlain of the household - currently Jo Churchill - is "held hostage" in Buckingham Palace while the King is in Parliament, to ensure the monarch's safe return.
The speech is written by the government.
Its length depends on the number of proposed laws and other announcements - such as foreign-policy objectives - but it normally lasts about 10 minutes.
The monarch delivers the speech in a neutral tone, to avoid any appearance of political support.
I always love the State Opening of Parliament ceremony - full of interesting history stretching back hundreds of years. The cellars under the House of Lords are still searched just before the monarch arrives, to foil a potential gunpowder plot that was intended to kill King James VI & I. After the pandemic and the late Queen's declining health led to a pared down ceremony in recent years, it will be nice to hopefully see the ceremony restored back to full glory.
The last time a King opened Parliament was in 1950 when King George VI opened it for the last time.
Thoughts?
Tomorrow The King will open the last session of this Parliament in his first King's Speech
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32816450
https://live.staticflickr.com/8594/30034601272_f5a8f85d42_b.jpg
King Charles III will deliver the King's Speech as part of the State Opening of Parliament on 7 November 2023.
It will be his first King's Speech since becoming monarch - although he gave the Queen's Speech on behalf of his mother in May 2022.
The King's Speech provides the government with an opportunity to outline its priorities for the months ahead.
Formally called the Speech from the Throne, it is a key part of the State Opening of Parliament ceremony, which marks the start of the parliamentary year.
The next session of Parliament is likely to be the last before the general election, which must take place by January 2025.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/NINTCHDBPICT000652538953.jpg
Traditionally, the State Opening begins with a procession in which the King travels from Buckingham Palace to Westminster by carriage.
On arrival, he uses the Sovereign's Entrance, reserved for the monarch.
The King then processes to the throne in the House of Lords.
MPs are summoned to the Lords by Black Rod, an official position currently held by Sarah Clarke.
Before entering the House of Commons, Black Rod has the door shut in their face, symbolising the chamber's independence from the monarchy.
https://unherd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/House-of-Lords.png
The speech sets out the laws the government wants to get through Parliament in the coming year.
MPs, peers and other dignitaries in the House of Lords generally listen in silence.
Traditionally, the government MP holding the position of vice-chamberlain of the household - currently Jo Churchill - is "held hostage" in Buckingham Palace while the King is in Parliament, to ensure the monarch's safe return.
The speech is written by the government.
Its length depends on the number of proposed laws and other announcements - such as foreign-policy objectives - but it normally lasts about 10 minutes.
The monarch delivers the speech in a neutral tone, to avoid any appearance of political support.
I always love the State Opening of Parliament ceremony - full of interesting history stretching back hundreds of years. The cellars under the House of Lords are still searched just before the monarch arrives, to foil a potential gunpowder plot that was intended to kill King James VI & I. After the pandemic and the late Queen's declining health led to a pared down ceremony in recent years, it will be nice to hopefully see the ceremony restored back to full glory.
The last time a King opened Parliament was in 1950 when King George VI opened it for the last time.
Thoughts?