APPENDIX E
THE QUEEN'S SPEECH
FIRST
SESSION OF A NEW PARLIAMENT
By
the Queen in Person
The State Opening of Parliament usually takes place in the
morning. The Lords are attired in their Parliament robes or such other dress as
may be approved by the Earl Marshal on behalf of the Queen. Certain members of
the royal family and spouses or partners of members of the House who are
successful in the ballot for places are seated on the floor of the House. An
enclosure is reserved for the Diplomatic Corps. Judges are seated on the
Woolsacks in their robes.
The Queen is met at the Sovereign's Entrance by the Lord
Great Chamberlain and enters the Palace of Westminster preceded by the Earl
Marshal, Lord Great Chamberlain, Lord Chancellor (with the Purse containing
the Queen's Speech), Lord Speaker and Lord Privy Seal. They proceed to the
Robing Room where the Queen robes and puts on the Crown and regalia. A
procession is formed, marshalled by the Earl Marshal, and proceeds through the
Royal Gallery and the Prince's Chamber to the Chamber of the House of Lords.
When Her Majesty has taken Her seat on the Throne, the Lord Speaker and Lord
Chancellor stand on Her right at the foot of the steps of the Throne. The Queen
is attended by the Officers of State. The Queen then commands Black Rod,
through the Lord Great Chamberlain, to summon the Commons, which he does in
these words:
The Commons come from their Chamber and advance to the Bar
with their Speaker, bowing once only at the Bar.
Her Majesty then delivers Her Speech from the Throne.
It is also possible for the Queen's Speech to be read by the
Lord Chancellor, standing on one of the lower steps of the Throne in the
presence of the Sovereign. This was done during the reign of George I and in
the later years of Queen Victoria.
The Queen then retires. The Commons withdraw, bowing once.
By
Royal Commission
If the Queen is not present, there is no State Opening. The
Queen's Speech is delivered by the presiding Commissioner, or by one of the
other Lords Commissioners, by virtue of the Royal Commission for opening
Parliament.
At the hour appointed, usually in the morning, the Lords
Commissioners enter the Chamber, and the Commons are summoned (see appendix C).
The Presiding Commissioner says:
The Presiding Commissioner, remaining seated and with his
hat on, then delivers the Speech.
Then the Commons and the Commissioners depart (see appendix
C).
A further opportunity may then be given for Lords to take
the oath. The Lord Speaker, in this case, takes his seat on the Woolsack and
prayers are read. After the Lords present have taken the oath, or at a time
previously fixed, the House is adjourned during pleasure until the time fixed
for the meeting in the afternoon.
SUBSEQUENT
SESSIONS
By
the Queen in Person
If the Queen opens subsequent sessions in person, the ceremony
is similar to that described above for the delivery of the Queen's Speech at
the beginning of a new Parliament.
By
Royal Commission
When the Queen is not present, her functions are performed
by Lords Commissioners.
The Lords Commissioners enter the Chamber, and the Commons
are summoned (see appendix C).
The Presiding Commissioner says:
"My
Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
We are commanded by Her Majesty to let you know that, it not
being convenient for Her to be present here this day in Her Royal Person, She
has thought fit by Letters Patent under the Great Seal to empower several Lords
therein named to do all things in Her Majesty's Name which are to be done on
Her Majesty's part in this Parliament, as by the Letters Patent will more fully
appear."
The Commission is read (see appendix C).
The Presiding Commissioner then says:
The , remaining seated and covered, then delivers the
Speech.
Then the Commons and the Lords Commissioners depart (see
appendix C). The Lord Speaker then takes her seat on the Woolsack, and the
House adjourns during pleasure until the meeting of the House in the afternoon.
