Queen's Speech to take place on 8 May

Image caption, The Queen traditionally addresses peers and MPs in the House of Lords

The Queen's Speech, outlining the government's programme for the year ahead, will take place on 8 May.

The monarch will open Parliament in a traditional ceremony where she reads out the government's proposed legislation.

The pomp and ceremony of the State Opening of Parliament is one of the highlights of the Westminster calendar.

The event traditionally took place in November but was moved to May by the coalition government.