The State Opening of Parliament, the main ceremonial event of the Parliamentary calendar and is the formal occasion when The King calls Parliament to begin a new session.
The observance, which takes place in the House of Lords, is full of tradition and pomp, and, as well as officially opening a new session of Parliament, also sets the political agenda for the year, through The King’s Speech.
Charles and Camilla attending the State Opening of Parliament. (© House of Lords / photography by Roger Harris)
What happens during the State Opening of Parliament?
The State Opening of Parliament begins a while before The King arrives at Westminster. It actually starts with the searching of the cellars hours beforehand.
The Yeomen of the Guard, the oldest of the Royal bodyguards, search the cellars beneath the Houses of Parliament. This is a precaution to prevent a modern-day attempt at the Gunpowder Plot; in 1605, a Catholic plot hoped to assassinate James I and his family to put a Catholic on the Throne, by blowing up barrels of gunpowder in the cellars of Parliament.
Yoemen of the Guard during the State Opening of Parliament (© House of Lords / photography by Roger Harris)
After, members of the House of Lords, dressed in their robes, gather in the Upper Chamber of Parliament; MPs, meanwhile, gather in the Commons. Foreign ambassadors and diplomats, and the Judiciary also attend the opening.
A ‘hostage’ is taken for the duration of the opening. Before The King leaves Buckingham Palace, the Treasurer, Comptroller and Vice-Chamberlain of the Household (all of whom are Government whips) deliver ceremonial white staves (rods) to The King.
His Majesty keeps the Vice-Chamberlain ‘prisoner’ under guard at the Palace for the duration of the ceremony, to ensure her safe return; this is a tradition that began with Charles I. The King, whose relationship with Parliament was poor due to a number of autonomous actions on his part, would take an MP out of Parliament to ensure his personal safety.
The Imperial State Crown travels ahead of His Majesty. (© House of Lords / photography by Roger Harris)
The Imperial State Crown, the Cap of Maintenance and Sword of State, which are used for the ceremony, travel in a coach preceding The King’s arrival. His Majesty, usually accompanied by Queen Camilla, then leaves Buckingham Palace for the Palace of Westminster, travelling in a State Coach; he is escorted by the Household Cavalry.
Interestingly, the State Opening of Parliament is the one event in the year where His Majesty, the House of Lords and House of Commons meet.
The King and Queen travel to Westminster in a state carriage. (© House of Lords / photography by Roger Harris)
The King arrives at Sovereign’s Entrance of Westminster, which flies the Royal Standard, and he proceeds to the Robing Room. The Sovereign passes dismounted Household Cavalry soldiers in full dress with drawn swords – they are the only troops allowed to bear arms within Royal Palaces.
Here, His Majesty puts on the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State for the ceremony. The King then leads the Royal Procession through the Royal Gallery in front of 600 guests, to the chamber of the House of Lords for the main event.
His Majesty takes his seat on the Throne in the chamber, and instructs those around her: ‘My Lords, pray be seated’.
The King and Queen during the Royal Procession for the State Opening of Parliament 2024. (Westminster London Photo By Annabel Moeller/House of Commons Flickr)
The Lord Great Chamberlain then signals to Black Rod, with a white wand of office raised, to summon the MPs – no Monarch has set foot in the House of Commons since the actions of Charles I in 1642. Black Rod (or ‘Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod’) is The King’s representative in Parliament.
Walking to the Commons chamber, ‘Hats off, Strangers!’ is shouted to those who line the route. Upon reaching the chamber, the doors are shut in Black Rod’s face. Charles I tried to arrest five MPs whilst they were sitting in Parliament; this symbolic action shows the Commons’ independence from the Monarch, which largely began with the English Civil War.
Black Rod then bangs three times on the door with the rod they carry, which represents their office. The door to the Commons Chamber is opened and they says ‘Mr Speaker, The King commands this honourable House, [pauses to bow to both sides of the House] to attend His Majesty immediately in the House of Peers’.
The Black Rod plays a key role during the State Opening of Parliament. (© House of Lords / photography by Roger Harris)
This is a reminder of the right of the House of Commons to exclude everyone, save the Sovereign’s messengers.
All MPs – deliberately talking loudly – follow them back to the House of Lords to hear The King’s Speech. MPs bow to His Majesty, and stand at the opposite end of the chamber to the Throne to listen to the speech; this area is known as the Bar of the House.
His Majesty is then presented with his speech by the Lord Chancellor. The speech is traditionally written on goatskin vellum, and presented to the Monarch on bended knee.
The King gives his speech, which is around 10 minutes long, and outlines government proposals for the coming year. The Speech from the Throne, or The King’s Speech, is written by the Prime Minister and their Cabinet, and is signed by The King.
The King refers to ‘my Government’ throughout the speech, and keeps a neutral tone, to show neither approval nor disapproval. He also mentions any State Visits that he intends to make during the session of Parliament, and also speaks of any planned State Visits by foreign Heads of State.
Members of the Lords, judges, ambassadors, high commissioners and guests listen to the speech in the House of Lords chamber. (House of Lords 2023 / Photography by Roger Harris)
The speech is finished with the words: ‘My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels’.
The King then departs the House of Lords, and the MPs return to their chamber. His Majesty’s role in the ceremony is now finished, but events continue without The King.
Members then debate the content of the speech, with both chambers giving an ‘Address in Reply to His Majesty’s Gracious Speech’. The first speech of the debate in the Commons is traditionally a humorous one, and the ensuing debate lasts for a few days, with different topics being discussed.
Where does the tradition of a State Opening come from?
By the 14th century, the opening of Parliament had become something of a ceremony, following established rituals.
During the Tudor dynasty, Parliamentary opening became a symbolic act, as the King did not attend every sitting of Parliament, and also drew crowds, much like today. An illustration of the 1523 State Opening of Parliament shows similarities to the modern event, including a robed Monarch, MPs standing at the Bar to the House, with the Speaker in the centre.
The State Opening of Parliament in 1523. (Royal Collection Trust)
Since Charles II, the Sovereign has generally given a speech; the exceptions are George I, who spoke but a few words of English having grown up in Germany, and Queen Victoria, who – following the death of Prince Albert – could not bring herself to speak.
Did Elizabeth II open Parliament every year during her reign?
Elizabeth II’s grace and dedication at the State Opening underscored her steadfast commitment to her constitutional duties throughout her reign. In 1959 and 1963, during her pregnancies with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, respectively, she was absent, and the speech was read on her behalf by the Lord Chancellor.
Prince Philip was often in attendance at the State Opening of Parliament. His last State Opening was in 2017, ahead of his retirement. After then, Prince Charles took his place.
Elizabeth II during the State Opening of Parliament. (House of Commons/Flickr)
In 2022, the then-Prince of Wales and the then-Duke of Cambridge acted on behalf of Elizabeth II in attending the State Opening of Parliament. They were joined by the then-Duchess of Cornwall. The late Queen cancelled her appearance at the ceremonial event, due to ‘episodic mobility issues’ but gave permission for the next two heirs to open Parliament. Charles and William were chosen for the job as as Counsellors of State. The occasion also marked Prince William’s first State Opening of Parliament, marking a major royal milestone for him.
Charles, Camilla and William at the State Opening of Parliament. Elizabeth II missed the ceremony for the first time in 59 years because of mobility issues
The State Opening of Parliament remains a powerful symbol of the United Kingdom’s constitutional traditions, blending the enduring legacy of the monarchy with the democratic responsibilities of governance. Its rich pageantry and historical significance serve as a reminder of the careful balance between ceremonial and political authority that underpins the nation’s system of government. As the Monarch presides over the event, the connection between the past and present is vividly reinforced, underscoring the continuity and stability of the British constitutional framework. In an ever-changing world, the State Opening of Parliament stands as a testament to the enduring principles of duty, service, and the rule of law that shape the nation.
