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07/03/2013
Queen's Speech Date Announced
The Queen's 2013 speech has been announced for 8 May.
The annual speech marks the Opening of Parliament and is one of the main events in the Westminster calendar.
State Opening occurs on the first day of a new parliamentary session or shortly after a general election.
The event traditionally attracts a large audience, whether in person, on television or, nowadays, via the internet.
The speech is preceded by the Queen's procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster, escorted by the Household Cavalry.
She arrives at Sovereign's Entrance and proceeds to the Robing Room, where she puts on the Imperial State Crown and parliamentary robe. A procession then leads through the Royal Gallery to the Chamber of the House of Lords, where the Queen takes the Throne.
The Queen's Speech is delivered from the Throne in the House of Lords, in the presence of Members of both Houses.
Although the Queen reads the speech, the content is entirely drawn up by government and approved by the Cabinet.
It contains an outline of the government's policies and proposed new legislation for the new parliamentary session.
The State Opening and delivery of a speech by the monarch can be traced back at least to the 16th century.
The annual speech marks the Opening of Parliament and is one of the main events in the Westminster calendar.
State Opening occurs on the first day of a new parliamentary session or shortly after a general election.
The event traditionally attracts a large audience, whether in person, on television or, nowadays, via the internet.
The speech is preceded by the Queen's procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster, escorted by the Household Cavalry.
She arrives at Sovereign's Entrance and proceeds to the Robing Room, where she puts on the Imperial State Crown and parliamentary robe. A procession then leads through the Royal Gallery to the Chamber of the House of Lords, where the Queen takes the Throne.
The Queen's Speech is delivered from the Throne in the House of Lords, in the presence of Members of both Houses.
Although the Queen reads the speech, the content is entirely drawn up by government and approved by the Cabinet.
It contains an outline of the government's policies and proposed new legislation for the new parliamentary session.
The State Opening and delivery of a speech by the monarch can be traced back at least to the 16th century.
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