The State Opening of Parliament took place on Wednesday 27 May 2015. State Opening marks the formal start of the new 2015-16 parliamentary session. The primary purpose of this colourful state occasion is to set out the Government's legislative agenda in the Queen's Speech.
The State Opening of Parliament is the most colourful event of the Parliamentary year.
It is also the most important, because it brings together the three elements of the legislature (the House of Commons, the House of Lords and The Queen). The ceremony therefore represents the Crown in Parliament.
As Head of State, it is the duty of The Queen formally to open each new session of Parliament.
Her Majesty has only missed two Opening of Parliament ceremonies during her reign. The first time was in 1959 when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and the second in 1963 when she was expecting Prince Edward.
After the introduction of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, the State Opening of Parliament takes place every year in May.T
It is also the most important, because it brings together the three elements of the legislature (the House of Commons, the House of Lords and The Queen). The ceremony therefore represents the Crown in Parliament.
As Head of State, it is the duty of The Queen formally to open each new session of Parliament.
Her Majesty has only missed two Opening of Parliament ceremonies during her reign. The first time was in 1959 when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and the second in 1963 when she was expecting Prince Edward.
After the introduction of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, the State Opening of Parliament takes place every year in May.T
Before The Queen travels to Parliament from Buckingham Palace, certain traditional precautions are observed.
A detachment of The Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard searches the cellars of the Houses of Parliament.
This tradition dates back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes was arrested whilst preparing to blow up Parliament. Today, the Yeomen of the Guard continue this historic search, in addition to the security checks by police.
Another tradition is the 'hostage' MP, a Government whip who is held at Buckingham Palace to guarantee the safe return of the monarch.
The custom dates back to centuries when the monarch and Parliament were on less cordial terms.
Once these precautions have been taken, The Queen travels from Buckingham Palace in a State coach to the Palace of Westminster, usually accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh.
The Imperial State Crown travels in its own carriage, ahead of The Queen, escorted by Members of the Royal Household.
On arrival, The Queen puts on the Imperial State Crown and her parliamentary robe ready for the ceremony itself. This takes place in the House of Lords.
Some 250 representatives of the House of Commons are summoned by Black Rod, who acts as The Queen's Messenger.
By tradition, the door of the House of Commons is slammed in Black Rod's face. It is then reopened to enable Black Rod to convey the Sovereign's summons to the Speaker.
This tradition is a reminder of the right of the Commons to exclude everyone but the Sovereign's messengers.
No monarch has set foot in the Commons since Charles I entered the Commons and tried to arrest five Members of Parliament in 1642.
Spectators can view the procession to Parliament from Buckingham Palace in The Mall and Whitehall.
The ceremony is also broadcast live on BBC television.
A detachment of The Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard searches the cellars of the Houses of Parliament.
This tradition dates back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes was arrested whilst preparing to blow up Parliament. Today, the Yeomen of the Guard continue this historic search, in addition to the security checks by police.
Another tradition is the 'hostage' MP, a Government whip who is held at Buckingham Palace to guarantee the safe return of the monarch.
The custom dates back to centuries when the monarch and Parliament were on less cordial terms.
Once these precautions have been taken, The Queen travels from Buckingham Palace in a State coach to the Palace of Westminster, usually accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh.
The Imperial State Crown travels in its own carriage, ahead of The Queen, escorted by Members of the Royal Household.
On arrival, The Queen puts on the Imperial State Crown and her parliamentary robe ready for the ceremony itself. This takes place in the House of Lords.
Some 250 representatives of the House of Commons are summoned by Black Rod, who acts as The Queen's Messenger.
By tradition, the door of the House of Commons is slammed in Black Rod's face. It is then reopened to enable Black Rod to convey the Sovereign's summons to the Speaker.
This tradition is a reminder of the right of the Commons to exclude everyone but the Sovereign's messengers.
No monarch has set foot in the Commons since Charles I entered the Commons and tried to arrest five Members of Parliament in 1642.
Spectators can view the procession to Parliament from Buckingham Palace in The Mall and Whitehall.
The ceremony is also broadcast live on BBC television.
SOURCE: OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE BRITISH MONARCHY
http://www.royal.gov.uk/RoyalEventsandCeremonies/StateOpeningofParliament/State%20Opening%20of%20Parliament.aspx
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