State Opening of Parliament - Revision history

Ulrike.otten at 10:20, 30 November 2016

2016-11-30T10:20:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:20, 30 November 2016
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	Before the reading of the speech can start the Members of the House of Commons have to be summoned to the House of Lords. The so-called Gentlemen Usher of the Black Rod (or just “Black Rod”) goes up to the House of Commons where the door is closed in his face as a symbol of the Common’s independence. He then needs to knock on that door three times to be let in. Entering the House of Commons he bows a few times and then addresses the commons with the sentence: “Mr Speaker, The Queen commands this honourable House to attend Her Majesty immediately in the House of Peers”, after which the Members of the Commons slowly and while making jokes make their way to the House of Lords in order to listen to the Queen’s Speech.		Before the reading of the speech can start the Members of the House of Commons have to be summoned to the House of Lords. The so-called Gentlemen Usher of the [[Black Rod]] (or just “Black Rod”) goes up to the House of Commons where the door is closed in his face as a symbol of the Common’s independence. He then needs to knock on that door three times to be let in. Entering the House of Commons he bows a few times and then addresses the commons with the sentence: “Mr Speaker, The Queen commands this honourable House to attend Her Majesty immediately in the House of Peers”, after which the Members of the Commons slowly and while making jokes make their way to the House of Lords in order to listen to the Queen’s Speech.

Pankratz at 16:14, 31 May 2010

2010-05-31T16:14:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:14, 31 May 2010
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	When the monarch arrives at the Houses of Parliament he /she is given the [[Imperial State Crown]] and his/her robe, and then enters the House of Lords. The current monarch, Queen [[Elizabeth II]], is usually accompanied by her husband, [[Prince Philip]] and has only ever missed two Openings of Parliament due to pregnancy since 1952.		When the monarch arrives at the Houses of Parliament he /she is given the [[Crown Jewels\|Imperial State Crown]] and his/her robe, and then enters the House of Lords. The current monarch, Queen [[Elizabeth II]], is usually accompanied by her husband, [[Prince Philip]] and has only ever missed two Openings of Parliament due to pregnancy since 1952.

Pankratz at 16:13, 31 May 2010

2010-05-31T16:13:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:13, 31 May 2010
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	== The Queen’s Speech ==		== The Queen’s Speech ==

	All three constituent parts of the British Parliament – the Monarch, the H[[~~ouse~~ of Lords]] and the [[House of Commons]] – participate in this ceremony and at last come together in the House of Lords to hear the Queen’s Speech. This speech is central to the event as it outlines the government’s policies and plans for the coming parliamentary session. It is normally about ten minutes long and written by the [[Prime Minister]]. The Queen only reads it out aloud. The last words always are “other measures will be laid before you” which allows the government to introduce other laws if required.		All three constituent parts of the British Parliament – the Monarch, the [[House of Lords]] and the [[House of Commons]] – participate in this ceremony and at last come together in the House of Lords to hear the Queen’s Speech. This speech is central to the event as it outlines the government’s policies and plans for the coming parliamentary session. It is normally about ten minutes long and written by the [[Prime Minister]]. The Queen only reads it out aloud. The last words always are “other measures will be laid before you” which allows the government to introduce other laws if required.

	Afterwards a debate of the programme and policies takes place in both of the houses and regular business of Parliament is commenced.		Afterwards a debate of the programme and policies takes place in both of the houses and regular business of Parliament is commenced.
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	When the monarch arrives at the Houses of Parliament he /she is given the [[Imperial State Crown]] and his/her robe, and then enters the House of Lords. The current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is ~~always~~ accompanied by her husband, [[Prince Philip]] and has only ever missed two Openings of Parliament due to pregnancy since 1952.		When the monarch arrives at the Houses of Parliament he /she is given the [[Imperial State Crown]] and his/her robe, and then enters the House of Lords. The current monarch, Queen [[Elizabeth II]], is usually accompanied by her husband, [[Prince Philip]] and has only ever missed two Openings of Parliament due to pregnancy since 1952.


	Before the reading of the speech can start the Members of the House of Commons have to be summoned to the House of Lords~~. This ritual is called Black Rod~~. The so-called Gentlemen Usher of the Black Rod (or just “Black Rod”) goes up to the House of Commons where the door is closed in his face as a symbol of the Common’s independence. He then needs to knock on that door three times to be let in. Entering the House of Commons he bows a few times and then addresses the commons with the sentence: “Mr Speaker, The Queen commands this honourable House to attend Her Majesty immediately in the House of Peers”, after which the Members of the Commons slowly and while making jokes make their way to the House of Lords in order to listen to the Queen’s Speech.		Before the reading of the speech can start the Members of the House of Commons have to be summoned to the House of Lords. The so-called Gentlemen Usher of the Black Rod (or just “Black Rod”) goes up to the House of Commons where the door is closed in his face as a symbol of the Common’s independence. He then needs to knock on that door three times to be let in. Entering the House of Commons he bows a few times and then addresses the commons with the sentence: “Mr Speaker, The Queen commands this honourable House to attend Her Majesty immediately in the House of Peers”, after which the Members of the Commons slowly and while making jokes make their way to the House of Lords in order to listen to the Queen’s Speech.


	== The Origins of the Opening of Parliament ==		== The Origins of the Opening of Parliament ==
	The presence of the King during Parliament goes back to the middle ages. The pomp and rituals of this particular ceremony, however, are probably an ~~inventiobn~~ of Victorian times. Still, the ~~porcedure~~ of a speech made by the monarch, which is then to be discussed by the Houses of Commons and Lords in order to improve government was already in practice in the 14th century.		The presence of the King during Parliament goes back to the middle ages. The pomp and rituals of this particular ceremony, however, are probably an invention of Victorian times. Still, the procedure of a speech made by the monarch, which is then to be discussed by the Houses of Commons and Lords in order to improve government was already in practice in the 14th century.

	The ~~excact~~ origin of this ceremony and the date of its introduction is unknown.		The exact origin of this ceremony and the date of its introduction are unknown.

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

Steffi at 15:37, 31 May 2010

2010-05-31T15:37:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:37, 31 May 2010
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	The State Opening of Parliament is an annual event which marks the beginning of the parliamentary session and states the programme and policies of the government in the Queen’s speech. The ceremony is conducted with a lot of pomp and is rich in symbolical meaning.		The State Opening of Parliament is an annual event which marks the beginning of the parliamentary session and states the programme and policies of the government in the Queen’s speech. The ceremony is conducted with a lot of pomp and is rich in symbolical meaning.

	Usually it takes place in November. If there is a general election, however, the ceremony will take place in May directly after that election. In this case the next Opening of Parliament will take place in November of the following year.		Usually it takes place in November. If there is a [[general election]], however, the ceremony will take place in May directly after that election. In this case the next Opening of Parliament will take place in November of the following year.


	== The Queen’s Speech ==		== The Queen’s Speech ==

	All three constituent parts of the British Parliament – the Monarch, the ~~House~~ of Lords and the House of Commons – participate in this ceremony and at last come together in the House of Lords to hear the Queen’s Speech. This speech is central to the event as it outlines the government’s policies and plans for the coming parliamentary session. It is normally about ten minutes long and written by the Prime Minister. The Queen only reads it out aloud. The last words always are “other measures will be laid before you” which allows the government to introduce other laws if required.		All three constituent parts of the British Parliament – the Monarch, the H[[ouse of Lords]] and the [[House of Commons]] – participate in this ceremony and at last come together in the House of Lords to hear the Queen’s Speech. This speech is central to the event as it outlines the government’s policies and plans for the coming parliamentary session. It is normally about ten minutes long and written by the [[Prime Minister]]. The Queen only reads it out aloud. The last words always are “other measures will be laid before you” which allows the government to introduce other laws if required.

	Afterwards a debate of the programme and policies takes place in both of the houses and regular business of Parliament is commenced.		Afterwards a debate of the programme and policies takes place in both of the houses and regular business of Parliament is commenced.
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	Before the Monarch even starts his or her procession from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament the Yeomen of the Guard search the latter for bombs (especially the cellars) as a reminder of the Gunpowder Plot (a plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament with everyone in them on the opening of Parliament on 5 November 1605).		Before the Monarch even starts his or her procession from [[Buckingham Palace]] to the [[Houses of Parliament]] the [[Yeomen of the Guard]] search the latter for bombs (especially the cellars) as a reminder of the [[Gunpowder Plot]] (a plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament with everyone in them on the opening of Parliament on 5 November 1605).
	The monarch then sets out from Buckingham Palace in a horse-drawn stage coach, which is richly ornamented. This procession is watched by thousands of people on the streets and on television every year.		The monarch then sets out from Buckingham Palace in a horse-drawn stage coach, which is richly ornamented. This procession is watched by thousands of people on the streets and on television every year.


	When the monarch arrives at the Houses of Parliament he /she is given the Imperial State Crown and her robe, and then enters the House of Lords. The current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is always accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip and has only ever missed two Openings of Parliament due to pregnancy since 1952.		When the monarch arrives at the Houses of Parliament he /she is given the [[Imperial State Crown]] and his/her robe, and then enters the House of Lords. The current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is always accompanied by her husband, [[Prince Philip]] and has only ever missed two Openings of Parliament due to pregnancy since 1952.


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	== Sources ==		== Sources ==
	A video ~~on YouTube~~ showing the Black Rod ritual --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1bJ8nY2pcc		Homepage of the British Parliament --> http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2010/05/state-opening-25-may-2010/

			A video showing the Black Rod ritual --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1bJ8nY2pcc

	Riding, Christine: Pomp and Circumstance at Westminster --> http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/church_state/westminster_later/pomp_and_westminster_01.shtml		Riding, Christine: Pomp and Circumstance at Westminster --> http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/church_state/westminster_later/pomp_and_westminster_01.shtml
	~~Homepage of the British Parliament --> http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2010/05/state-opening-25-may-2010/~~
	BBC Political Correspondent Ben Wright about the Queen's Speech --> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8701771.stm		BBC Political Correspondent Ben Wright about the Queen's Speech --> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8701771.stm

Steffi at 15:33, 31 May 2010

2010-05-31T15:33:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:33, 31 May 2010
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	The excact origin of this ceremony and the date of its introduction is unknown.		The excact origin of this ceremony and the date of its introduction is unknown.

			== Sources ==
			A video on YouTube showing the Black Rod ritual --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1bJ8nY2pcc
			Riding, Christine: Pomp and Circumstance at Westminster --> http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/church_state/westminster_later/pomp_and_westminster_01.shtml
			Homepage of the British Parliament --> http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2010/05/state-opening-25-may-2010/
			BBC Political Correspondent Ben Wright about the Queen's Speech --> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8701771.stm

Steffi at 15:26, 31 May 2010

2010-05-31T15:26:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:26, 31 May 2010
Line 1:		Line 1:
	The State Opening of Parliament is an annual event which marks the beginning of the parliamentary session. The ceremony is conducted with a lot of pomp and is rich in symbolical meaning.		The State Opening of Parliament is an annual event which marks the beginning of the parliamentary session and states the programme and policies of the government in the Queen’s speech. The ceremony is conducted with a lot of pomp and is rich in symbolical meaning.

	(~~work~~ in ~~progress~~)		Usually it takes place in November. If there is a general election, however, the ceremony will take place in May directly after that election. In this case the next Opening of Parliament will take place in November of the following year.


			== The Queen’s Speech ==

			All three constituent parts of the British Parliament – the Monarch, the House of Lords and the House of Commons – participate in this ceremony and at last come together in the House of Lords to hear the Queen’s Speech. This speech is central to the event as it outlines the government’s policies and plans for the coming parliamentary session. It is normally about ten minutes long and written by the Prime Minister. The Queen only reads it out aloud. The last words always are “other measures will be laid before you” which allows the government to introduce other laws if required.

			Afterwards a debate of the programme and policies takes place in both of the houses and regular business of Parliament is commenced.


			== Symbols and Rituals ==
			The ceremony of the State Opening of Parliament is highly symbolic and contains some rituals that mark it as an event of tradition and history.


			Before the Monarch even starts his or her procession from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament the Yeomen of the Guard search the latter for bombs (especially the cellars) as a reminder of the Gunpowder Plot (a plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament with everyone in them on the opening of Parliament on 5 November 1605).
			The monarch then sets out from Buckingham Palace in a horse-drawn stage coach, which is richly ornamented. This procession is watched by thousands of people on the streets and on television every year.


			When the monarch arrives at the Houses of Parliament he /she is given the Imperial State Crown and her robe, and then enters the House of Lords. The current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is always accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip and has only ever missed two Openings of Parliament due to pregnancy since 1952.


			Before the reading of the speech can start the Members of the House of Commons have to be summoned to the House of Lords. This ritual is called Black Rod. The so-called Gentlemen Usher of the Black Rod (or just “Black Rod”) goes up to the House of Commons where the door is closed in his face as a symbol of the Common’s independence. He then needs to knock on that door three times to be let in. Entering the House of Commons he bows a few times and then addresses the commons with the sentence: “Mr Speaker, The Queen commands this honourable House to attend Her Majesty immediately in the House of Peers”, after which the Members of the Commons slowly and while making jokes make their way to the House of Lords in order to listen to the Queen’s Speech.


			== The Origins of the Opening of Parliament ==
			The presence of the King during Parliament goes back to the middle ages. The pomp and rituals of this particular ceremony, however, are probably an inventiobn of Victorian times. Still, the porcedure of a speech made by the monarch, which is then to be discussed by the Houses of Commons and Lords in order to improve government was already in practice in the 14th century.

			The excact origin of this ceremony and the date of its introduction is unknown.

Steffi: Created page with 'The State Opening of Parliament is an annual event which marks the beginning of the parliamentary session. The ceremony is conducted with a lot of pomp and is rich in symbolical …'

2010-05-25T11:39:10Z

Created page with 'The State Opening of Parliament is an annual event which marks the beginning of the parliamentary session. The ceremony is conducted with a lot of pomp and is rich in symbolical …'

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The State Opening of Parliament is an annual event which marks the beginning of the parliamentary session. The ceremony is conducted with a lot of pomp and is rich in symbolical meaning.

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