Parliament will return from its annual summer recess period on Monday November 6, when the ceremonial State Opening of Parliament will take place.
But what exactly happens at the State Opening of Parliament? What time does it start? Are any special events planned?
Read on below for everything you need to know about the State Opening of Parliament.
Parliament will return from its annual summer recess period on Monday November 6, when the ceremonial State Opening of Parliament will take place
When is the State Opening of Parliament
The previous State Opening of Parliament took place on May 10 2022, at the start of the 2022-23 session of Parliament.
This was the 67th and final time that Queen Elizabeth II presided over the Opening of Parliament before her death in September 2022.
As a result, it will see Charles open Parliament as King for the first time since he ascended to the throne.
The State Opening of Parliament will commence with Charles’ procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster, which will see him escorted by the Household Cavalry.
What happens at the State Opening of Parliament?
After his arrival at Sovereign’s Entrance, which is scheduled for 11:20 am, Charles will enter the Robing Room.
Wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State, he will then lead the Royal Procession from a scheduled time of 11:27 am through the Royal Gallery, packed with 600 guests, to the chamber of the House of Lords.
The House of Lords official – known as Black Rod – is sent to summon the Commons.
The doors to the Commons chamber will be shut in the king’s face, in a practice dating back to the Civil War, to symbolise the Commons’ independence from the monarchy.
Black Rod will subsequently strike the door three times before it is opened.
Members of the House of Commons will follow Black Rod and the Commons Speaker to the Lords chamber, standing at the opposite end to the throne, known as the Bar of the House, to listen to the speech, which is expected to begin after Charles is seated on the throne around 11:30am.
The Monarch’s Speech
The Monarch’s Speech will be delivered by Charles from the Throne in the House of Lords and, although he will have the responsibility of reading the speech, it is written by the government.
Charles sits by the The Imperial State Crown in the House of Lords Chamber, during the previous State Opening of Parliament in May 2022
In terms of contents, the speech itself contains a summary of government policies and proposed legislation for the new parliamentary session.
When the Monarch leaves, a new parliamentary session starts, which will see service resume as normal in Parliament once again.
Members of both Houses will then debate the contents of the speech and agree an ‘Address in Reply to His Majesty’s Gracious Speech’.
Each House continues the debate over the planned legislative programme for several days, looking at different subject areas.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
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