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LONDON – King Charles III wore a very heavy crown. Someone named Black Rod had a door slammed in his face. An MP has been held “hostage” by Buckingham Palace.
It was the State Opening of Parliament, the time of year when the British monarch announces the new laws on the government’s agenda. However, this being Britain, there was an elaborate ceremony full of ancient customs that might seem a bit confusing to the uninitiated.
It was also the first time in more than 70 years that a king delivered the speech, an event made famous – at least for Americans – by the 2010 film starring Colin Firth as the wartime monarch King George VI. plays who overcomes a speech impediment. It has been a queen who has held the job since 1952, although Charles stepped in for his mother in 2022 due to health reasons.
Prince Charles opens Parliament, but it’s still the Queen’s speech
It was also the first event of its kind for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – and he hopes it isn’t his last. His Conservative Party is badly behind in the polls and an election must be held by January 2025.
The King’s Speech is read by the King sitting on a gilded throne, but in this case the monarch is only the messenger. The speech is written entirely by the government and is the moment when the Prime Minister shows what the ruling party’s priorities are. With an election approaching, this speech was closely watched for clues as to how the Conservatives plan to campaign at the next election.
The first bill Charles, a lifelong environmentalist, read aloud was for a new system for issuing annual oil and gas licenses. Under the current system, licenses are issued on a regular basis, but the government says the new policy is important for energy security. Charles read the words in the toneless voice one would expect from a monarch who is supposed to be above politics.
Environmental groups oppose the measure, saying the UK should focus on renewable energy and that the move is an attempt to create a rift with the opposition Labor Party.
Sunak postpones British climate targets to prevent British “bankruptcy”.
Charles, or rather the speech he was allowed to read, also announced legislative reforms including a phasing out of smoking to create a smoke-free generation; a new regulator for English football; greater powers for judges to compel convicted criminals to appear in the dock for sentencing; and a ban on public institutions from boycotting Israel.
The ceremony was a collection of centuries-old customs, reminiscent of a time when the relationship between the monarch and Parliament was much more tense. Before Charles arrived at Parliament, royal bodyguards searched his cellar for explosives – a reference to Guy Fawkes’ “Gunpowder Plot” of 1605 – an unsuccessful attempt by English Catholics to blow up the Protestant King James I and Parliament.
The most famous part of the ceremony was probably when Black Rod, a senior official in the House of Lords, knocked on the door of the House of Commons with her black ebony staff, only to see the door slammed in her face – that was intended to symbolize the independence of the House of Commons from the monarch.
Undeterred by the frosty reception, Black Rod then knocked three times on the door with her ceremonial staff – knocking over the years has created a dent – and the door to the House of Commons chamber was finally opened. Then the MPs came forward and followed Black Rod to the House of Lords to hear the monarch’s speech.
In another tradition, inspired by the beheading of King Charles I in 1649, a lawmaker was held “hostage” at Buckingham Palace during the ceremony to ensure the monarch’s safe return.
The costumes were elaborate. Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, spoke enthusiastically about his attire to the BBC. “I don’t wear tights every day! So today is the day I put on my tights, my breeches, of course the jacket and the gold dress… What I always find special is the lace.”
Charles and Queen Camilla made the short journey between Buckingham Palace and Westminster in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, a horse-drawn carriage. Some of the regalia – the Service Cap, the Great Sword of State and the Imperial State Crown set with 2,868 diamonds – arrived in their own carriage.
After the speech, MPs returned to the House of Commons, where normal political back and forth resumed. Sunak and Labor leader Keir Starmer will hold a day-long debate over the legislative program set out in the speech, ending with a vote.