Friday, May 11, 2012

State Opening of Parliament

This week, on 9 May 2012, in London, Queen Elizabeth II presided over the State Opening of Parliament.  This occasion provides a splendid taste of the pomp and circumstance of the British monarchy.

The video clip here includes the Queen's arrival in the chamber of the House of Lords, the summoning of the House of Commons by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod (the Lords' Sergeant), the Commons processing to the Queen, led by the Sergeant-at-Arms (with the mace) and the Speaker, and finally the Queen's address to Parliament.  Notice, too, that upon their arrival in the chamber of the House of Lords, the Speaker, John Bercow, is directly in front of the Prime Minister, David Cameron, and Leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband.

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