King Charles's role at State Opening of Parliament as Labour sets out new agenda
King Charles delivers his first King’s Speech in Parliament
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King Charles is preparing to deliver his second State Opening of Parliament speech as monarch today, as he is expected to outline the new Labour government's political and legislative agenda for the year ahead, during an event known for its custom, pomp and pageantry.
He has just returned from a two-day visit to the Channel Islands, having arrived in Jersey on Monday and spent yesterday in Guernsey.
This will be Charles's second King's Speech since ascending to the throne in November 2022, even though he delivered the Queen's speech on behalf of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, in May 2022.
Charles is embracing traditions that have been in place since the 16th century for the second time as monarch, with his late mother presiding over the State Opening of Parliament in person on 67 occasions during her reign, except in 1959, 1963, and 2022.
This year, the new government said it will put economic growth at the heart of its legislative agenda, with more than 35 bills expected to be announced, as Labour seeks to maintain momentum and define its first 100 days in office as a period of positive progress.
Here Express.co.uk takes a look at the key details from Wednesday's major political event.
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What is the State Opening of Parliament?
The State Opening of Parliament marks the formal start of the parliamentary year and sets out the government’s proposed policies and legislation for the 2024-25 session.
It takes place in the House of Lords chamber on the first day of a new session.
The event, which is held in front of both Houses of Parliament, is the only regular occasion when the three constituent parts of Parliament – the Sovereign, the House of Lords and the House of Commons – meet.
In the King's speech, the government typically sets out bills it intends to introduce to Parliament in the session ahead, as well as other policy priorities which do not require legislation.
What is the King’s Speech?
The King's Speech, formally known as the Speech from the Throne, is a speech written by the government and delivered by the monarch.
It follows a procession which will see Charles travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster by carriage in late morning, where he will use the Sovereign's Entrance, reserved for the monarch.
He will then head to the Robing Room to put on the Imperial State Crown and ceremonial robes, before proceeding through the Royal Gallery to the throne in the House of Lords where he will read out his speech at around 11.30am.
The speech, which contains the government's agenda for the coming parliamentary session and outlines policies and proposed legislation, is traditionally written on goatskin vellum, and presented on bended knee for the monarch to read by the Lord Chancellor, who produces the scroll from a satchel-like bag.
Charles will once again be expected to read the entire speech in a neutral and formal tone, implying neither approval nor disapproval of the proposals of Keir Starmer's government.
MPs and peers in the House of Lords will traditionally listen to his speech in silence.
What Crown does he wear?
King Charles will be wearing the Imperial State Crown, which he wore during last year's Speech as well as after his Coronation ceremony back in May 2023.
While the crown has existed in various forms in the past, the current version of it was commissioned in 1937 for the Coronation of King George VI and was worn by Queen Elizabeth II after her Coronation in 1953.
It is made of gold and contains 2,868 diamonds (1,363 brilliant-cut, 1,273 rose-cut and 142 table-cut), 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls and four rubies as well as 277 pearls.
Standout gems include the Black Prince's Ruby, the Stuart Sapphire, the Cullinan II diamond and St Edward’s Sapphire.
The crown also has a purple velvet cap with an ermine border and is lined with white silk.
The Imperial State Crown weighs 1.06kg (2.3lbs) and it is unlikely that the King will be wearing the crown for the entire duration of the ceremony.
Queen Elizabeth last wore the Imperial State Crown in 2016 and after that it was carried on a cushion and placed on a table nearby.
What other regalia is used?
After Charles arrives at the Houses of Parliament from Buckingham Palace, he will enter the robing room, where, along with the Imperial State Crown, he will put on the ceremonial Parliament Robe of State.
The robe features a long, crimson-red velvet train with gold embroidery
But the King will also be carrying the royal regalia during the ceremony, which include the Cap of Maintenance and the Sword of State.
The Cap of Maintenance is a ceremonial cap of crimson velvet lined with ermine, which is worn or carried by certain persons as a sign of nobility or special honour.
The Sword of State is a sword which symbolises the supreme power and authority of a monarch given by them God.
What was in the King's Speech in 2023?
During his first King's speech last November, Charles paid tribute to his "beloved mother, the Late Queen".
He said: "It is mindful of the legacy of service and devotion to this country set by My beloved Mother, The Late Queen, that I deliver this, the first King's Speech in over 70 years".
The monarch announced 21 bills on behalf of Rishi Sunak's government. These included:
- Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports Bill)
- Arbitration Bill
- Automated Vehicles Bill
- Criminal Justice Bill
- Data Protection and Digital Information Bill
- Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill
- Dragt Rail Reform Bill
- Economic Activities of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill
- Football Governance Bill
- Holocaust Memorial Bill
- Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill
- Leasehold and Freehold Bill
- Media Bill
- Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill
- Pedicabs (London) Bill
- Renters (Reform) Bill
- Sentencing Bill
- Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill
- Tobacco and Vapes Bill
- Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill
- Victims and Prisoners Bill
