Summary

  • The State Opening of Parliament has taken place.

  • This marks the formal start of the parliamentary year.

  • The debate on the address took place from 2.30pm, when MPs discussed the government's proposals for the next session of Parliament.

  • The Lords also debated the proposals in the Queen's Speech and the proposed legislation.

  • The debate continues over several days, looking at different subject areas. The Queen's Speech is voted on by the Commons, but no vote is taken in the Lords.

Live Reporting

Kate Whannel and Patrick Cowling

  1. View from the window

    Conservative MP tweets

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  2. Picture: Blues and Royals bring regalia to Parliament

    Royal Family tweets

    Regalia procession

    And these are the tools of the trade the coach is bringing to Parliament.

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  3. Air of expectation

    Labour MP tweets

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  4. In their places

    Bishop of London and the Archbishop of Canterbury

    The Bishop of London and the Archbishop of Canterbury are in their places on the red benches in the House of Lords, for the Queen's Speech.

  5. Queen's Speech countdown - what are we expecting?

    What are we expecting to see in the Queen's Speech?

    • "Unprecedented" new powers for prison governors in England and Wales, including control of budgets
    • New measures to tackle extremism, including a ban on so-called hate preachers working with children or other vulnerable groups
    • Plans to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights are expected to be mentioned, but with major detail yet to come
    • Changes to the care and adoption system
    • New regulations concerning driverless cars and unmanned drones.

  6. Traditions observed

    Royal Family tweets

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  7. Getting ready

    Parliamentary reporters tweet

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  8. What happens during State Opening?

    From the UK Parliament website

    The Queen delivers the Queen's Speech in 2014Reuters

    State Opening is the main ceremonial event of the parliamentary calendar, attracting large crowds. It begins with the Queen's procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster, escorted by the Household Cavalry.

    The Queen arrives at Sovereign's Entrance and proceeds to the Robing Room. Wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State, she leads the Royal Procession through the Royal Gallery, packed with 600 guests, to the chamber of the House of Lords. 

    The House of Lords official known as 'Black Rod' is sent to summon the Commons. The doors to the Commons chamber are shut in his face: a practice dating back to the Civil War, symbolising the Commons' independence from the monarchy. Black Rod strikes the door three times before it is opened. Members of the House of Commons then follow Black Rod and the Commons Speaker to the Lords chamber, standing at the opposite end to the Throne, known as the Bar of the House, to listen to the speech.

    The Queen's Speech is delivered by the Queen from the Throne in the House of Lords. Although the Queen reads the speech, it is written by the government. It contains an outline of its policies and proposed legislation for the new parliamentary session.

    When the Queen leaves, a new parliamentary session starts and Parliament gets back to work. Members of both agree an ‘Address in Reply to Her Majesty’s Gracious Speech’ and debate the content of the speech. Each House continues the debate over the planned legislative programme for several days, looking at different subject areas. The Queen's Speech is voted on by the Commons, but no vote is taken in the Lords.

  9. Good morning

    And welcome to our coverage of today's events in Westminster.

    It is the day of the Queen's Speech, which will take place at 11.30am. The Queen delivers the speech - written by the government - from the throne of the House of Lords. 

    MPs and peers spend the afternoon debating the proposals put forward by the government.

    It's a remarkable day in the parliamentary calendar and marks the start of a new session of Parliament.