What does the State Opening of Parliament and the King's Speech involve?

"The State Opening of Parliament and the King's Speech will take place on Wednesday, marking the formal beginning of the parliamentary year and the first session since the local elections. Policies on immigration, green energy and reforms to special educational needs and disabilities (Send) schooling will be part of the King's Speech, which will lay out the government's legislative priorities for the next Parliamentary session."

"The speech will be read by the King in the House of Lords before MPs and peers. Here's a look at what the ceremonial event involves. How much pomp and ceremony does the day involve? Quite a lot, and it starts before the King even makes an appearance as the royal bodyguards, known as the Yeoman of the Guard, conduct a ceremonial search of the cellars of the Palace of Westminster for explosives."

"This is a nod to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in which a group of English Catholics failed to blow up the House of Lords and kill the protestant king. An MP is also ceremonially taken hostage in Buckingham Palace while the monarch attends Parliament. This is designed to ensure th"

The King’s Speech marks the formal beginning of the parliamentary year and the first session after local elections. Policies on immigration, green energy, and reforms to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schooling are included in the government’s legislative priorities. The speech is read by the King in the House of Lords before MPs and peers. The day includes ceremonial security steps, including a search of the Palace of Westminster cellars by the Yeoman of the Guard for explosives, referencing the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. An MP is also ceremonially taken hostage in Buckingham Palace while the monarch attends Parliament, as part of the tradition.

Read at www.independent.co.uk