The bizarre traditions King Charles will follow at the State Opening of Parliament - from bomb checks, taking someone hostage and slamming the Commons door in MPs faces
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King Charles III will deliver his second address at the State Opening of Parliament today, engaging in long-standing traditions including bomb checks, taking someone hostage and slamming the Commons door in MPs faces.
These rituals, steeped in history - with some going back over 500 years - underscore the enduring relationship between the monarchy, the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
The King's Speech, delivered by the monarch but written by the government, outlines the legislative agenda and policies for the upcoming parliamentary session.
While it presents the government's priorities, it is not legally binding, serving more as a ceremonial declaration of intent.
King Charles will travel from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament in a grand procession led by the Household Cavalry.
King Charles III will deliver his second address at the State Opening of Parliament today, engaging in long-standing traditions including bomb checks, taking someone hostage and slamming the Commons door in MPs faces
The King's Speech, delivered by the monarch but written by the government, outlines the legislative agenda and policies for the upcoming parliamentary session. While it presents the government's priorities, it is not legally binding, serving more as a ceremonial declaration of intent
Upon arrival, he will don the Imperial State Crown and ceremonial robes in the Robing Room.
The King will then proceed to the House of Lords, where he will deliver his speech from the throne.
The speech typically lasts around ten minutes, detailing various proposed laws and policies.
After its conclusion, MPs will debate its contents in the Commons, continuing the debate over several days before a symbolic vote.
The State Opening of Parliament is rich with unique traditions:
Black Rod and the Commons Door
After taking his throne, the King will instruct Black Rod, the House of Lords official, to summon MPs from the House of Commons.
Upon Black Rod's arrival, the door to the Commons will be ceremonially slammed in their face, symbolising the Commons' independence from the monarchy.
Black Rod will knock three times before being allowed in to escort MPs to the Lords.
The Lady Usher of the Black Rod, Sarah Clarke OBE (pictured). After taking his throne, the King will instruct Black Rod, the House of Lords official, to summon MPs from the House of Commons. Upon Black Rod's arrival, the door to the Commons will be ceremonially slammed in their face, symbolising the Commons' independence from the monarchy. Black Rod will knock three times before being allowed in to escort MPs to the Lords
The Yeomen of the Guard and Bomb Checks
Before the monarch's arrival, the Yeomen of the Guard, the royal bodyguards, conduct a ceremonial search of the cellars of the Palace of Westminster.
This tradition dates back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 when Guy Fawkes, a Catholic, attempted to blow up Parliament and the monarch at the time, King James I, a Protestant.
Before the monarch's arrival, the Yeomen of the Guard, the royal bodyguards, conduct a ceremonial search of the cellars of the Palace of Westminster. This tradition dates back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 when Guy Fawkes, a Catholic, attempted to blow up Parliament and the monarch at the time, King James I, a Protestant.
Taking Someone Hostage
As a symbolic gesture to ensure the monarch's safety, a Member of the Commons is taken hostage at Buckingham Palace.
This practice originated in 1649 when the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament was highly strained.
The hostage is usually a government whip and is released unharmed once the ceremony concludes.
Samantha Dixon will have to settle for watching the pomp and ceremony on TV, as she's going to be the MP held 'hostage' at Buckingham Palace.
Samantha Dixon will have to settle for watching the pomp and ceremony on TV, as she's going to be the MP held 'hostage' at Buckingham Palace
Mace Transportation
Earlier in the day, the ceremonial mace is transported to Parliament in a separate carriage.
It is a silver gilt ornamental club of about five feet in length and is a symbol of royal authority.
The mace must be present for either house to meet and pass laws.
The measures expected in today's King's Speech include:
More than 35 bills are expected to be unveiled by the King today. These include:
- Scrapping anti-strike laws and introducing a new package of 'workers' rights'
- Legislation to set up a state-owned energy company GB Energy which will drive investment in green power projects such as solar and wind farms
- A package of electoral reform, including booting out hereditary peers and starting the process for introducing votes at 16
- A Criminal Justice Bill, including tougher powers on shoplifting and an extension of the ban on zombie knives
- A Border Security Bill to allow the new Border Security Command to use counter-terrorism powers to help break the people-smuggling gangs
- A Renters Reform Bill to ban no-fault evictions and force landlords to deal with mouldy flats
- The revival of Rishi Sunak's plan to prevent anyone born after 2009 from ever buying cigarettes
