Christopher Livingston
05-24-2009, 09:08 PM
THE STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT
Monday, May 25th, 2009
Monday, May 25th, 2009
4:00 PM (EST) - Royal Procession into Huntington Palace; Prayer by the Lord Archbishop of Bergen.
Lord High Steward: "Oyez, oyez, oyez, all Noble Lords and Honourable Members are admonished and enjoined to be respectfully upstanding!"
His Majesty then processes into the House, the Royal Coat of Arms being symbolically displayed to signify this.
Lord High Steward: "Our Sovereign Lord James the Second, by the Grace of God of Hanover and Varennes King, Defender of the Faith!"
The Lord Archbishop of Bergen then offers a prayer for the Parliament. His Majesty answers, saying:
His Majesty: Amen. My Lords and Gentlemen, pray be seated.
4:10 - Ministerial appointments: the Justiciar of Hanover.
As each appointee approaches the Throne, his Letters Patent are read to the House. After which, the King ceremonially appoints him using the following words:
His Majesty: Trusty and beloved subject, confiding thee to be My good and worthy servant, I appoint thee to be my [Office], by Mine unquestioned and rightful power as the King of this Realm. And I do strictly enjoining command thee to undertake thine office with the wisdom and sagacity becoming a minister of the Crown, for upon thee lieth the peace and good ordering of My Kingdom.
4:20 - His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech.
His Majesty then delivers the Most Gracious Speech, which has been prepared by his ministers in advance, and details the reasons for which the Parliament has been called. The Speech usually includes an outline of the general legislative agenda for the new parliamentary session.
4:30 - Royal Retirement from Huntington Palace.
The Speech having been completed, His Majesty processes out of Huntington Palace. The Lord High Steward signifies his departure with the following words:
Lord High Steward: My Lords and Gentlemen, I beg leave to inform you that it has pleased His Majesty to depart, and the High Court of Parliament is hereby charged to commence its deliberations.
Members are asked to remain silent until the Royal Retirement from Parliament is complete, unless they are performing a role in the State Opening ceremonies. After His Majesty's departure, Members of Parliament traditionally deliver speeches in response to the Government's legislative agenda, as described in the Most Gracious Speech.