State Opening of Parliament
The State Opening of Parliament is a ceremonial event which formally marks the beginning of each session of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. At its core is His (or Her) Majesty's "gracious speech from the throne" (also known as the King's or Queen's Speech),[1] which is read by the monarch but written by HM Government. In the speech the monarch gives notice of forthcoming state visits, before setting out the government's legislative programme for the new parliamentary session. No business of either House of Parliament (the House of Lords or the House of Commons) can proceed until the Sovereign’s speech has been delivered.[2]
The State Opening takes place in the House of Lords chamber within the Palace of Westminster on the first day of the new parliamentary session. This traditionally tends to fall in November, but can occur at any time of year (depending on the timing of General Elections and parliamentary session start dates).[Note 1][3] It takes place in front of a formal gathering of both Houses of Parliament; the monarch customarily wears the Imperial State Crown and a robe of state, and members of the House of Lords wear their parliament robes (in contrast to the House of Commons, whose members wear day dress).[1]
State Openings of Parliament are documented from as early as the 14th century, with the first visual depictions dating from the 15th century.[1] The most recent State Opening (the first attended by Charles III as King) was held on 7 November 2023.[4]
The State Opening of Parliament is a ceremony filled with historical ritual, constitutional symbolism and practical significance relating to the governance of the United Kingdom.
Parliament is composed of the Sovereign, the House of Lords and the House of Commons,[5] and a State Opening is the only routine occasion when the three are gathered together in one place.[2] The monarch is seated on the throne, at one end of the chamber in front of the Cloth of Estate (with the consort, if present, seated alongside), flanked by an entourage of Great Officers of State and members of the Royal Household. The Lords are seated on "the floor of the House" (i.e. in the main body of the chamber), while the Commons attend at "the bar of the House" (the boundary rail at the far end, facing the throne).
In addition to the Lords themselves, others are provided with seats on the floor of the House on the occasion of a State Opening, namely:[6]