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The King's Speech: What happens at the State Opening of Parliament?
Image source, PA Media
The State Opening of Parliament is an important ceremonial occasion for the King or Queen of the United Kingdom and for the United Kingdom's government.
The King's Speech that is made at the State Opening of Parliament is also one of the UK's most valued traditions.
It's the official way in which the government re-opens parliament after a break and sets out their plans for what they want to achieve.
Parliament sat for the first time on 9 July after Labour won the general election.
The King's Speech - delivered by King Charles III - will take place in the Houses of Parliament on 17 July at 11.30am.
Here's what you need to know.
What is the King's Speech?
Image source, Reuters
The King's Speech is part of what is called the State Opening of Parliament.
It's a bit like the start of a new school year for politicians. The proper name given to this is the start of a Parliamentary session.
The King's Speech explains the government's plans for the coming year.
Although the government writes the speech, King Charles reads it out in front of members of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
There is normally one King's Speech every year.
What happens during the State Opening ceremony?
Image source, PA Media
The ceremony can be traced back to the 15th century.
It is designed to bring together different parts of Parliament - the Crown, Peers and MPs.
Traditionally the monarch rides in a grand state coach from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords in Westminster with all sorts of parades and military bands performing.
But in recent years these ceremonial elements have been scaled back.
Image source, PA Media
When the King enters the House of Lords, everyone stands up.
Everyone attending is wearing their smartest clothes.
The King will wear ceremonial robes including the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State.
After leaving a room known as the robing room, the King leads a royal procession through the gallery of the Houses of Parliament before sitting on a throne in the House of Lords.
There he says "My Lords, pray be seated".
The Black Rod - the King's messenger - then walks to the door of the House of Commons, where elected Members of Parliament (MPs) work.
As part of the ceremony, the Black Rod knocks on the door but the door is slammed in their face!
It might seem a bit rude but it's meant to show that House of Commons is independent to the monarchy.
The Black Rod knocks on the door three times with their stick.
They then enter the House of Commons and ask the attending MPs to come to the Lords Chamber to listen to the King.
An official known as the Lord Chancellor then hands the speech to the King, and he reads it aloud.
What happens after the speech is given?
Image source, Getty
When the King finishes the speech and the State Opening is over, he leaves and returns to Buckingham Palace.
In the afternoon, the government's plans - which were shared in the speech - are debated in the House of Commons and MPs will eventually have the chance to vote on them.
The ceremony in 2023 was especially important for King Charles III as, although he had been at the event before and in 2022 stood in for Queen Elizabeth II, last year was his first attendance as King.