Charles makes first King's Speech as he opens Parliament

7 November 2023

Britain's King Charles III sits beside Queen Camilla during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords Chamber, in London, Britain, November 7, 2023.

By Emma Lynch

Picture editor

King Charles III delivered his first King's Speech since becoming monarch.

He travelled through the streets of London in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach in a ceremony going back centuries.

The carriage made its way from Buckingham Palace along Whitehall to Westminster.

Members of the King's Guard line up outside Buckingham Palace as King Charles III and Queen Camilla depart in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach for the Houses of Parliament ahead of the State Opening of Parliament on November 7, 2023 in London, England.

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Members of the King's Guard march past Buckingham Palace ahead of the State Opening of Parliament on November 7, 2023 in London, England.

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The Royal Standard flies as the horses and coach carrying the Imperial State Crown leaves Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of the King's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords.

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Protesters held up placards as the King and Queen made their way to Parliament.

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla travel along The Mall towards Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach after attending the State Opening of Parliament on November 07, 2023 in London, England.

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King Charles III travels down the Mall by carriage on his was to the Houses of Parliament for The State Opening of Parliament on November 07, 2023 in London, England.

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Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla arrive in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach for the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords on November 7, 2023 in London, England.

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On arrival, the King used the Sovereign's Entrance, reserved for the monarch, before making his way to the throne in the House of Lords.

Queen Camilla was at the King's side in the dress she wore at the coronation.

Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla arrive at the Sovereign's Entrance of the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament, in London, on November 7, 2023.

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Britain's King Charles III arrives for the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords on November 7, 2023 in London, England.

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In the Robing Room the King put on the crown and his ceremonial robes, ahead of making his speech in the room next door - the chamber of the House of Lords.

The Imperial State Crown is carried through the Norman Porch ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords on November 7, 2023 in London, England.

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MPs were summoned to the Lords by Black Rod, an official position currently held by Sarah Clarke.

The Commons Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, led the procession into the House of Commons.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer were among MPs who entered through the Members' Lobby.

Lindsay Hoyle, speaker of the house of commons, arrives ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords on November 7, 2023 in London, England.

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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (left) and Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer walk through the Members' Lobby at the Palace of Westminster ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London.

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Before entering the House of Commons, Black Rod had the door shut in her face, symbolising the chamber's independence from the monarchy.

Black Rod Sarah Clarke, walks through the Members' Lobby at the Palace of Westminster ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London.

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Black Rod Sarah Clarke, strikes the staff of office on the doors of the Commons chamber during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London

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The King wore the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State. Queen Camilla wore the George IV State Diadem as she accompanied her husband through the Royal Gallery to the Sovereign Throne.

Britain's King Charles III, wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State, and Britain's Queen Camilla, wearing the George IV State Diadem, process through the Royal Gallery during the State Opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament, in London, on November 7, 2023.

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King Charles III, wearing the Imperial State Crown and Robe of State, and Queen Camilla, wearing the George IV State Diadem for the first time, arrive for the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, at the Palace of Westminster, London.

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King Charles began with a tribute to the "legacy of service and devotion to this country" set by his mother Queen Elizabeth II.

King Charles III delivers a speech beside Queen Camilla during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London

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Britain's King Charles III, wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State, and Britain's Queen Camilla, wearing the George IV State Diadem, sits on The Sovereign's Throne in the House of Lords chamber, during the State Opening of Parliament, at the Houses of Parliament, in London, on November 7, 2023.

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MPs, peers and other dignitaries gathered in the House of Lords and listened in silence as the King set out the government's current priorities which included investment in transport, laws to prevent children smoking, and tougher sentences for serious offenders.