Queen Elizabeth II has delivered her annual Christmas message to the Commonwealth.
The theme of the 87-year-old monarch’s televised address was “reflection”. It focussed on the birth of her great-grandson and heir, Prince George, the 60th anniversary of her coronation in 1953, and looked ahead to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year. [Read more…]
Queen Elizabeth II has opened the 2012 parliamentary year in the United Kingdom’s Parliament at Westminster.
A State Opening of Parliament is the main ceremonial occasion of the parliamentary calendar. Escorted by the Household Cavalry, the Queen travels from Buckingham Palace to Westminster. She enters the House of Lords and directs Black Rod to summon the members of the House of Commons.
Black Rod, as the chief official of the House of Lords, is ceremonially denied entry to the Commons, a practice that symbolises the independence of the Commons from the monarchy. Black Rod knocks three times on the door of the Commons chamber. When admitted, he advises the Speaker that the Queen has summonsed members to the Lords. Members then proceed to the Bar of the House and listen to the Queen’s speech.
During today’s proceedings, as Black Rod summonsed members, Dennis Skinner, the 81-year-old Labour member for Bolsover, a seat he has held for 43 years, could be heard interjecting: “The Royal Mail for sale, Queen’s head privatised”. Some of Skinner’s jokes over the years can be found here.
The Queen delivers her speech from the Throne in the House of Lords. Today she was accompanied by Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. It was the first time she has been accompanied to a State Opening by her son and heir. As TIME magazine noted this week: “After more than 60 years, the Elizabethan era is drawing to a close, and the Charlesian age is dawning.”
The Queen’s Speech is written by the government of the day. It allows the government to outline its policies and proposed legislation for new parliamentary session.
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Text of the Queen’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
My Government’s legislative programme will continue to focus on building a stronger economy so that the United Kingdom can compete and succeed in the world.
It will also work to promote a fairer society that rewards people who work hard.
My Government’s first priority is to strengthen Britain’s economic competitiveness. To this end, it will support the growth of the private sector and the creation of more jobs and opportunities.
My Ministers will continue to prioritise measures that reduce the deficit – ensuring interest rates are kept low for homeowners and businesses. [Read more…]
Queen Elizabeth II has delivered her annual Christmas message to the Commonwealth.
The televised message comes at the end of the Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations of her 60 years on the throne.
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The Queen has delivered a short televised message of thanks for the celebration of her Diamond Jubilee.
Flanked by a picture of Prince William and his wife, Kate, the Queen’s message maintained the symbolism of the Royal Family’s appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace earlier in the day. The picture was one of the current Queen and the future Kings. Other members of the family, often seen on these occasions, were absent. It was a picture of certainty, stability and the future.
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Some images from the final of four days of Diamond Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II.
These pictures show the Royal Family’s carriage ride from Westminster Hall, along The Mall, to Buckingham Palace. The family’s appearance on the balcony of the palace was accompanied by a fly-past.
Earlier, the Queen attended a National Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams gave the sermon and paid tribute to the Queen.
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