Skip to content

Charles makes first King's Speech as he opens Parliament

Emma Lynch
Picture editor
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AFP 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.Kirsty Wigglesworth/AFP

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.

Carl Court/Getty Images 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.Carl Court/Getty Images
James Manning/PA Media 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.James Manning/PA Media
Carl Court/Getty Images Members of the King's Guard march past Buckingham Palace ahead of the State Opening of Parliament on November 7, 2023 in London, England.Carl Court/Getty Images
Andrew Matthews/PA Media 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.Andrew Matthews/PA Media

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

Hollie Adams/Reuters Anti-monarchy Anti-monarchy protestersHollie Adams/Reuters
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images 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.Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images 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.Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images
Daniel Leal/WPA Pool 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.Daniel Leal/WPA Pool

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.

Victoria Jones/AFP 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.Victoria Jones/AFP
Toby Melville/WPA Pool Britain's King Charles III arrives for the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords on November 7, 2023 in London, England.Toby Melville/WPA Pool

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.

Toby Melville/WPA Pool 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.Toby Melville/WPA Pool
Victoria Jones/WPA Pool The Imperial State CrownVictoria Jones/WPA Pool

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.

Hannah McKay/WPA Pool 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.Hannah McKay/WPA Pool
Stefan Rousseau/PA Media 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.Stefan Rousseau/PA Media

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

Hannah McKay/Reuters 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.Hannah McKay/Reuters
Hannah McKay/Reuters 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, LondonHannah McKay/Reuters

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.

Justin Tallis/AFP 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.Justin Tallis/AFP
Justin Tallis/Reuters 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.Justin Tallis/Reuters

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

Leon Neal/PA Media 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 LondonLeon Neal/PA Media
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AFP 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.Kirsty Wigglesworth/AFP

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.

Aaron Chown/PA Media Members of the House of Commons and Lords during the State Opening of Parliament, in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. Aaron Chown/PA Media

The last King to oversee the State Opening of Parliament was George VI in 1950.

The King and Queen Consort made their way back to Buckingham Palace following the speech.

A fanfare played as they got back in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach to leave Parliament.

Leon Neal/Reuters Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla prepare to depart following the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords Chamber, in London, Britain, November 7, 2023.Leon Neal/Reuters
Toby Melville/Reuters Britain's King Charles walks with Queen Camilla after delivering a speech at the State Opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, November 7, 2023.Toby Melville/Reuters
Toby Melville/Reuters Britain's King Charles holds hands with Queen Camilla while walking after he delivered a speech at the State Opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, November 7, 2023.Toby Melville/Reuters
Toby Melville/PA King Charles III and Queen Camilla depart the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London.Toby Melville/PA
Toby Melville/AFP King Charles III and Queen Camilla depart the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London.Toby Melville/AFP
Carl Court/Getty Images 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 7, 2023 in London, England.Carl Court/Getty Images

All photos subject to copyright