On 17 July, the Monarch will deliver a “King’s Speech” at the State Opening of Parliament.

This Insight looks at the historical development of the speech from the throne and its contemporary significance.

The State Opening of Parliament

Each session of Parliament begins with the State Opening of Parliament. This includes the King’s or Queen’s Speech (also known as the Gracious Speech), which outlines the legislation the government intends to introduce in the following session. Despite its name, the speech is written by the government and approved by Cabinet, but it is delivered by the Monarch from the throne in the House of Lords.

The King usually delivers the speech in person. It can also be read by the Lord Chancellor in the presence of the Monarch, as occurred during the reign of Queen Victoria. If the Monarch is not present, then the Lord Chancellor has read the speech on their behalf (as in 1959 and 1963). In 1927 and 1936 the speech was delivered on the Lord Chancellor’s behalf by Earl Balfour and Viscount Halifax respectively.

On 10 May 2022 Queen Elizabeth II authorised her son Charles (then the Prince of Wales) and his son the Duke of Cambridge to act in her place as Counsellors of State. Only the then Prince of Wales read the speech.

Historical development of the King’s Speech

During the Tudor era (between 1485 and 1603) it was the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper (an office that no longer exists) who gave a speech at the State Opening. This speech articulated the “cause of the summons” (the reason for a new meeting of what was then the English Parliament).

After King James VI of Scotland also became James I of England in 1603, the King chose to deliver this speech himself. At this time, only the first session of each Parliament was opened with a speech, but from 1660 the King would make one at the beginning of every session.

This would take the form of a short introductory address, which was then expanded upon by the King’s spokesman. In 1679, however, the second speech was discontinued and only the Monarch spoke. Exceptions were the speeches of King George I (1714 to 1727). As he could not speak good English (his first language was German), these were read by his Lord Chancellor.

In 1841, Lord John Russell (a Liberal Cabinet minister) told the House of Commons the speech “was the result of advice of Ministers, and Ministers alone are responsible for it”. Until the early 20th century, however, the speech was approved at a meeting of the Privy Council; before the meeting, the Monarch could request (minor) changes and seek explanations of certain measures.

Contemporary form of the King’s Speech

Before the speech, MPs are summoned to the bar of the House of Lords by Black Rod. The Lord Chancellor takes a printed copy of the Gracious Speech from a “Purse” and, on bended knee, hands it to the King, who is seated on the throne.

Until 1998, the Lord Chancellor retreated backwards down the steps of the throne, but they now have the option to turn their back on the Sovereign. The Monarch then reads the speech, beginning with the words: “My Lords and Members of the House of Commons.”

In recent years, the King’s Speech has opened with a statement of the government’s priorities before setting out a legislative programme for the forthcoming session. Towards the end of the speech, the Monarch can “look forward” to welcoming a visiting head of state or celebrations to mark a significant jubilee.

The King’s Speech is normally received in silence. A rare exception to this occurred in 1998 when the Queen’s Speech included a bill “to remove the right of hereditary Peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords”. According to the academic Emma Crewe:

Labour MPs murmured ‘Hear, hear’. The Queen appeared shocked; interruption was unprecedented. Peers growled ‘Shame, shame’ in response.

The King’s Speech usually closes with the words:

Members of the House of Commons, estimates for the public services will be laid before you.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, other measures will be laid before you.

I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.

The first line acknowledges the Commons’ primacy when it comes to financial matters.

Upon finishing his speech, the King hands it back to the Lord Chancellor and leaves the Lords Chamber in the same procession in which the Monarch entered.

Debate on the Loyal Address

When both Houses of Parliament resume in the afternoon following the King’s Speech, the Speaker and Lord Speaker inform each House that the speech has taken place and that printed copies will be made available.

The process of each House giving formal thanks for the speech is not recorded before 1660 and appears to have become standard only after 1688. A motion for “an Humble Address” (also known as the Loyal Address) in reply to the King’s Speech is moved in each House by supporters of the government. Traditionally, these opening speeches are light-hearted.

Following six days of debate in each House, the agreed Loyal Address is ordered to be presented to the King. This states:

Most Gracious Sovereign,

We, Your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons [or Lords] of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.

In both Houses, this is usually presented by members of the government who also form part of the Royal Household (government whips). Once the King has replied, it is reported from the bar of the Commons by the Vice-Chamberlain of the Household (a whip), and in the Lords by the Lord Chamberlain or another member of the Royal Household. The King will state:

I have received with great satisfaction the dutiful and loyal expression of your thanks for the Speech with which I opened the present Session of Parliament.

Further reading

About the author: Dr David Torrance is a researcher at the House of Commons Library, specialising in monarchy and the constitution

Image credit: House of Lords on Flickr