Charles III delivers King’s Speech at State Opening of Parliament

Charles III delivers King’s Speech at State Opening of Parliament


The King has overseen the State Opening of Parliament.

Just twelve days after Labour took power with a landslide General Election win, Charles III travelled to Westminster to deliver The King’s Speech.

The speech is always written by the government, setting out its plans for the parliamentary year ahead.

Their Majesties assume their thrones in the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament
(BBC still/ fair use)

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the Palace of Westminster in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. Earlier, the Imperial State Crown along with the Sword of State and the Cap of Maintenance had been brought to Parliament. All are symbols of the Monarchy.

The Imperial State Crown in the Royal Gallery ahead of The King’s arrival at Parliament
( BBC still/ fair use)

Their Majesties made their way to the Robing Room on their arrival and emerged soon afterwards to process through the Royal Gallery.

The new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, with his predecessor, Rishi Sunak
(BBC still/ fair use)

His Majesty wore military uniform with his Robe of State, made of red velvet and trimmed with ermine. The King wore the Imperial State Crown.

The King and Queen await the arrival of the Commons for the State Opening of Parliament
(BBC still/ fair use)

Queen Camilla, who is marking her 77th birthday, wore a white embroidered gown by Fiona Clare along with her Robe of State. The Queen also wore the State Diadem which contains representations of the four symbols of the United Kingdom in diamond form.

The royal procession finished in the House of Lords where The King and Queen assumed their thrones.

Black Rod prepares to have the door of the Commons slammed in her face
(BBC still/ fair use)

Black Rod then walked to the Commons to ask MPs to join the Lords. As is traditional, the Commons door was slammed in Black Rod’s face as she approached and she had to knock and request admission.

The King reads the speech prepared for him by his government, led by Sir Keir Starmer
(BBC still/ fair use)

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, and Rishi Sunak, now Leader of the Opposition, then led MPs to the Lords to hear The King read out the Labour government’s plans for the year to come.

Queen Camilla wore the State Diadem, created for King George IV, for the State Opening
(BBC still/ fair use)

Among the measures outlined was reform which could see hereditary peers removed from the Lords.

Following the speech, The King and Queen processed back through the Royal Gallery to the Robing Room where their Robes of State were removed. The King also took off the Imperial State Crown which was later taken back to the Tower of London in its own carriage.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have now returned to Buckingham Palace.



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