The first State Opening of Parliament of the reign of King Charles III is set to take place in the early days of November 2023 but ahead of this solemn event, steeped in history, one big question remains. As His Majesty speaks before the assembled politicians in the House of Lords, will he be wearing the Imperial State Crown?
It is usual for the Monarch to wear the Crown which is the symbol of royal power and which must be present in the chamber for the speech. However, in the last years of her reign, Queen Elizabeth II opted not to wear the Crown owing to its weight. Instead, it was placed on a table to the side of the throne.
This pattern was followed in 2022 when Charles, then still heir, read the speech on behalf of Her Late Majesty who didn’t attend owing to mobility issues. Instead, two Counsellors of State were present to exercise Her Late Majesty’s duty. Charles was joined by his elder son, Prince William. Next to the throne sat the Imperial State Crown as a sign of the power of the Monarchy.
In 2023, King Charles attends as Monarch and, for the first time in seven decades, the State Opening of Parliament will feature a King’s Speech. However, the question remains as to whether His Majesty will wear the Imperial State Crown or continue the new tradition of having it present but unworn.
The State Opening of Parliament is one of the most important royal events of the year. The traditional ceremony allows Britain’s politicians to get down to business and they have quite a session ahead of them as the country faces an ongoing cost of living crisis while parties are preparing for a general election which must take place before the end of 2024. So what is the Monarch’s role at the State Opening of Parliament?
All laws are passed in The King’s name and require Royal Assent, although this is always a formality and hasn’t been refused since 1707. Real power rests with parliament. However, it can’t begin its public business every year until the Monarch has formally opened its new session.
In a ceremony filled with tradition, pomp and pageantry, the Lord Chancellor approaches The King and, on bended knee, offers His Majesty the speech he will read. The words are taken from a silk bag and addressed to the assembled members of the Commons and the Lords by the Monarch. But they are not The King’s own words. The speech is written for him by the government of the day and it sets out what they intend to do in the parliamentary session to come.
The words are pored over by political analysts but it is the ceremony of the occasion that is a reminder of the ancient power of the Monarchy. The King will, in all likelihood, follow tradition and travel to the Palace of Westminster by State Coach. Ahead of him, in a carriage of its own, is the Imperial State Crown, the symbol of his power.
Inside the Palace, The King goes to the Robing Room where he puts on the Robe of State before processing to the House of Lords via the Royal Gallery. Since the reign of his predecessor, King Charles I, no royal has been admitted to the House of Commons. And in another striking moment of tradition, the Monarch’s messenger, Black Rod, finds the door of the Commons slammed in their face as they approach to ask for the presence of MPs in the other chamber for the King’s speech. Three loud raps on the door are needed before anyone will hear the request. The elected representatives then move in procession to the Lords where they listen to the speech.
The State Opening of Parliament remains one of the most important acts in The King’s year. It has been performed many times but each of them is a milestone for the Monarch.
