State Opening of Parliament 2013

[JonathanB]

Her mum was Scottish, she's got a holiday home in Scotland, her husband and eldest son wear kilts, she's descended from Mary Queen of Scots ...

And for goodness' sake she's 87! My mum was nine days younger and certainly couldn't keep up HMQ's activity for the last ten years of her life. (I'm not an enthusiastic monarchist at all, but considerable credit where it's due.)

And although it's called the Queen's speech, it was written for her by that nice Mr Cameron standing at the back all humble like.

[frank_a]

I too am continually amazed that the Queen and her Prince keep up the pace they do! I can only hope I am able to keep at it so long...

Frank

[creagdhubh]

At least the "joke" was included.

It was an edited version without commentary but why they cut out the traditional doors being slammed in Black Rod's face and him then having to strike the door three times for it to be reopened I do not know.

For those who may wonder about the significance of this it dates back to the days when Charles I entered the House with soldiers in an attempt to arrest 5 Members of Parliament (unsuccessfully as they had been forewarned of his approach and had already escaped). Since then this ceremony has been there to reinforce the power and independence of the House of Commons. A symbolic act of defiance.

You can see the original incident portrayed in the movie Cromwell. This does, however, contain an historical error - Cromwell was not one of the members Charles was trying to arrest as he does try to do in the movie.

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