The Queen, accompanied by The Prince of Wales, opened a new session of Parliament yesterday morning.
The State Opening brings together all three parts of Parliament: the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Monarch.
Before either House can proceed to public business, The Queen officially opens Parliament by addressing both Houses in The Queen’s Speech.
The speech is drafted by the Government and outlines future plans and legislation for the year ahead.
As Head of State The Queen has to remain strictly neutral with respect to political matters.
By convention, The Queen does not vote or stand for election, however Her Majesty does have important ceremonial and formal roles in relation to the government of the UK.
The formal phrase 'Queen in Parliament' is used to describe the British legislature, which consists of the Sovereign, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The Queen's duties include opening each new session of Parliament, granting Royal Assent to legislation, and approving Orders and Proclamations through the Privy Council.
The Queen also has a special relationship with the Prime Minister, retaining the right to appoint and also meeting with him or her on a regular basis.In addition to playing a specific role in the UK Parliament based in London, The Queen has formal roles with relation to the devolved assemblies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Upon arrival, The Queen proceeds to the Robing Room where she is bedecked in the long crimson velvet Robe of State. The Queen then leads the Royal Procession through the Royal Gallery, to the chamber of the House of Lords.
Members of the House of Lords wear appropriate ceremonial robes, and judges of the High Court of Justice wear their wigs.The House of Lords official known as 'Black Rod' is then sent to summon the House of Commons. The door to the Commons is first symbolically slammed in his face, which symbolises the Commons' independence from the monarchy. Black Rod then strikes the door loudly three times with his ebony staff, or rod, before it is opened, and the 250 Members of the House of Commons follow him back to the Lords Chamber, to stand at the opposite end to The Queen's Throne.
The Queen's Speech
Before either House can proceed to public business, The Queen must officially open Parliament by addressing both Houses in The Queen's Speech. The Speech is not drafted by The Queen, but by the Government, outlining plans and future legislation. The speech is carried by the Lord Chancellor in a special silk bag, and presented to The Queen on bended knee.
Once The Queen has departed, members of both Houses debate the content of the speech and agree an 'Address in Reply to Her Majesty's Gracious Speech'.More photos below.
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