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165 years of pomp & ceremony

PM needs support WHAT IS THE QUEEN’S SPEECH? It’s a list of laws a government hopes will be passed by Parliament in the year ahead. The Queen delivers it but ministers write it. WHEN DID THE STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT START? DOES THE QUEEN ALWAYS READ IT? WHO BANGS ON THE COMMONS DOOR? Black Rod, the official who keeps order in the House of Lords. Monarchs aren’t allowed in the Commons so he goes to summon MPs to the upper house.

In 1852, when the Palace of Westminster reopened after burning down in 1834. She has only missed it twice – in 1959 and 1963 when she was heavily pregnant.