The State Opening of Parliament is a long-standing ceremony that dates back to the 15th Century. It’s a mixture of politics and pageantry that brings together the Crown, peers, and MPs to mark the start of a parliamentary session. This year’s ceremony is particularly significant as it will be the first time King Charles carries out the ceremony as monarch.
During the ceremony, King Charles will be wearing the Imperial State Crown and will deliver the King’s Speech – the first of its kind since his grandfather, King George VI, who died in 1952. The event is full of traditions that make it unique, such as a procession with the sword of state and a ceremonial search carried out by the Yeoman of the Guard in remembrance of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
There is also a somewhat peculiar custom of handing over a “hostage” to the Royal Household – usually a government whip who is kept in Buckingham Palace until the monarch returns safely. Anti-monarchy protesters have become increasingly visible and vocal in recent times, and this aspect of the historic ceremony is likely to irritate them.
Despite the event’s long history, some aspects of the ceremony have modernized. For instance, the King and Queen will travel in the hi-tech Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which looks centuries old but was first used in 2014. All in all, it promises to be quite a show, full of pomp and circumstance, and a reminder of the rich traditions that continue to define British culture
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