The State Opening of Parliament is one of Britain’s most colourful state occasions. It marks the day our government goes back to work after the summer break and starts with a glorious procession and ceremony involving the Queen and parliament members. This year’s opening will happen on Wednesday 3 December.
Although the Houses of Parliament are not open to the public for the State Opening ceremony, you can watch the Royal Procession as the Queen travels from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament in her Royal Carriage.
The Queen is actually the last person to arrive for the ceremony, and there’s lots to see before she appears. First, a 100-strong Guard of Honour makes its way down the Royal Route, followed by Queen Alexandra’s State Carriage containing the Queen’s state robes.
Then, the State Crown, Cap of Maintenance and Sword of State are carried past. These are all symbols of royalty and its power, and are present at important ceremonial occasions like the coronation of a new King or Queen.
Next, various members of the Royal Family pass in cars, and lastly, the Queen. She travels along the Royal Route from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament in the Irish State Coach drawn by 4 horses. Guards on horseback follow the Queen’s carriage, and there are guards lining the street who present arms as she passes. A military band is also part of the procession, so there’s plenty to see and hear.
The Queen arrives at the Sovereign’s Entrance of the Houses of Parliament, where she’s met by the Lord Great Chamberlain, her official representative in Parliament. The Royal Standard (the official flag of the Royal Family) is flown to show that the Queen is present, and gun salutes are fired by artillery troops in Hyde Park and the Tower of London.
To see what happens in the State Opening of Parliament, visit our Government – State Opening of Parliament page.
If you want to see inside our parliament building, make sure you visit during the summer opening when it’s open to the public.
For more information on the State Opening, visit Parliament UK – State Opening of Parliament (www.parliament.uk/faq/lords_stateopening.cfm#current).