Another quirky element of the State Opening sees a government whip held "hostage" at the palace to ensure the Queen's safe return.

The custom dates back to the civil war, when the monarch and Parliament were on less cordial terms.

This time around, it's Conservative MP Stuart Andrew - he was the hostage in October's State Opening, too.

Sean Coughlan
BBC News, education correspondent

Schools in England are promised more funding, rising by £7.1bn by 2022-23, which the Institute for Fiscal Studies says will reverse the budget cuts of the austerity years.

Minimum levels of per pupil spending are increasing to £5,000 in secondary and £3,750 in primary and then £4,000 in the following year.

Most schools already get significantly more than this – for instance, the average for secondary schools is currently about £6,200 per year and £5,000 in primary.

Only about one in five primary schools and a third of secondary schools are below the proposed new minimum, with the biggest number of these in the south east and south west and the lowest number in London.

But the overall increase should mean an uplift across schools that have been complaining loudly about funding shortages.

So far there is no decision on whether to cut university tuition fees, other than a promise of “better value” for students.

After the Queen took her place on the throne in the House of Lords, Black Rod was sent to the House of Commons to summon MPs to the Lords.

Before entering the Commons, Black Rod had the doors shut in her face.

It’s a practice dating back to the Civil War and symbolises the chamber's independence from the monarchy.

She hits the door three times with her staff, and is then allowed in.

Once inside, Black Rod announces the Queen’s request for the MPs to go to the Lords.

MPs – led by newly elected Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle – then walked across the central lobby to hear the speech in the Lords.

The Queen is now part of a procession leaving Parliament and MPs will soon return to the Commons.

Both the House of Lords and the House of Commons will then thank the Queen for her Speech in what’s known as a Humble Address.

After that, a debate takes place in both Houses on the motion that the Humble Address is presented to the Queen.

This marks the beginning of Parliament truly getting back down to business because they’ll scrutinise the detail of the speech and discuss potential amendments.

It’s also worth noting that the Speech is a chance to highlight their main objectives rather than cover everything on the agenda for the entire parliamentary session - this means the government can introduce bills that haven’t been mentioned in the Speech.

The Queen concludes her speech - again, remember, written by the government - telling the gathered throngs: "I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels."

Now she can return to the palace and let the MPs fight it out among themselves again.

You can read the full story of the Queen's Speech here.

The Queen says her government will "continue to invest in our gallant Armed Forces", honouring the Armed Forces covenant, which will be further incorporated into law, and the NATO commitment to spend at least 2% of national income on defence.

She adds: "It will bring forward proposals to tackle vexatious claims that undermine our Armed Forces and will continue to seek better ways of dealing with legacy issues that provide better outcomes for victims and survivors."

She says the government will also work to "promote and expand the United Kingdom’s influence in the world", starting with a review into security, defence and foreign policy "covering all aspects of international policy from defence to diplomacy and development".

On a wider front, she says: "My ministers will promote the United Kingdom’s interests, including freedom of speech, human rights and the rule of law.

"My government will work closely with international partners to help solve the most complex international security issues and promote peace and security globally.

"It will stand firm against those who threaten the values of the United Kingdom, including by developing a sanctions regime to directly address human rights abuse, and working to ensure that all girls have access to 12 years of quality education."

Now the environment, which became a leading issue in the 2019 general election.

The Queen says the government will "continue to take steps to meet the world-leading target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050" and "lead the war in tackling global climate change, hosting the COP26 Summit in 2020".

She adds: "To protect and improve the environment for future generations, a bill will enshrine in law environmental principles and legally-binding targets, including for air quality.

"It will also ban the exports of polluting plastic waste to countries outside the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, and establish a new, world leading independent regulator in statute."

Onto a totally different subject, and the Queen adds "work will be taken forward to repeal the Fixed Term Parliaments Act".

The government says it wants to reach out to those parts of the country that Mr Johnson says "lent the Tories their vote" in the general election.

The Queen says they will bring forward measures "to ensure that every part of the United Kingdom can prosper".

She adds: "My government will invest in the country’s public services and infrastructure whilst keeping borrowing and debt under control, maintaining the sustainability of the public finances through a responsible fiscal strategy."

The government will prioritise investment in infrastructure and science research and skills "in order to unleash productivity and improve daily life for communities across the country", she says.

As a result, the government says it will "give communities more control over how investment is spent so that they can decide what is best for them".

And to ensure people can depend on the transport network, she says measures will be developed to "provide for minimum levels of service during transport strikes".

Moving onto support for business, the Queen says: "My government will increase tax credits for research and development, establish a National Skills Fund, and bring forward changes top business rates.

"New laws will accelerate the delivery of gigabit capable broadband."

Next up is law and order - something that became horribly relevant over the election after the attack on London Bridge, which left two people dead.

The Queen says her government is "committed to a fair justice system that keeps people safe" and will establish a Royal Commission to review and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice process.

She pledges new sentencing laws to "ensure the most serious violent offenders, including terrorists, serve longer in custody".

There will also be new laws requiring schools, police, councils and health authorities to work together to prevent serious crime.

"My government will ensure those charged with knife possession face swift justice and that the courts work better for all those who engage with them, including victims of domestic abuse," she adds.

Finally, she says legislation will be brought forward to support victims of crime and their families, and measures will be developed to tackle hostile activity conducted by foreign states.

The next part of the Queen's Speech is almost a "best of" from the past six weeks of campaigning.

She pledges that "modern, fair, points-based immigration system" the PM is so keen on, saying it will "welcome skilled workers from across the world to contribute to the United Kingdom’s economy, communities and public services".

The Queen then says the government will bring forward measures to "support working families", including raising the National Insurance threshold and increasing the National Living Wage.

And she promises her government will increase levels of funding per pupil in every school "to ensure every child has access to high quality education".

Other measures being pledged by the Conservatives include encouraging flexible working, introducing the entitlement to leave for unpaid carers, new rules to protect tenants and support home ownership, and legislation to improve internet safety.

But it isn't just the NHS that needs help, as multiple experts have pointed out ahead of the speech.

The Queen makes the pledge of her government to "seek cross-party consensus on proposals for long term reform of social care".

She adds: "They will ensure that the social care system provides everyone with the dignity and security they deserve and that no one who needs care has to sell their home to pay for it."

The Queen also says her ministers will continue work to reform the Mental Health Act.

The Queen is now promising "an ambitious programme of domestic reform" from her government to "deliver on the people's priorities".

The first pledge is to "urgently to facilitate talks to restore devolved government in Northern Ireland".

But then it is onto the NHS - a key part of Boris Johnson's campaign to get back into No 10.

She says: "For the first time, the National Health Service’s multi-year funding settlement, agreed earlier this year, will be enshrined in law.

"Steps will be taken to grow and support the National Health Service’s workforce and a new visa will ensure qualified doctors, nurses and health professionals have fast-track entry to the United Kingdom.

"Hospital car parking charges will be removed for those in greatest need."

These promises will come as no surprise as they featured heavily in the manifesto and the run-up to the election.

The Queen is beginning her speech in the Lords (for the second time in nine weeks) - but remember, it wasn't written by her, but for her by the government.

Perhaps knowing the author makes the first choice of topic unsurprising.

"My government’s priority is to deliver the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union on 31 January," she says.

"My ministers will bring forward legislation to ensure the United Kingdom’s exit on that date and to make the most of the opportunities that this brings for all the people of the United Kingdom.

"Thereafter, my ministers will seek a future relationship with the European Union based on a free trade agreement that benefits the whole of the United Kingdom. They will also begin trade negotiations with other leading global economies."

That's Brexit out of the way nice and early then...

An attempt by Boris Johnson to engage Jeremy Corbyn in conversation appeared to be rebuffed by the Labour leader.

The pair walked together towards the House of Lords to hear the Queen's Speech.

Black Rod is the Queen’s representative in the House of Lords.

Lady Usher of the Black Rod Sarah Clarke is the first woman to hold the post.

Black Rod can earn up to £93,000 a year and is in charge of summoning MPs from the House of Commons to the Lords, to hear the Queen’s Speech.

As well as organising ceremonial events, Black Rod manages a team of 30 staff involved in the day-to-day running of the House of Lords.

Read more here.

It's now Black Rod's job to go and get the MPs from the House of Commons.

As is tradition, the door is shut and she knocks three times. She enters the chamber before summoning the MPs to come and listen to the speech.