2026 State Opening of Parliament
| 2026 State Opening of Parliament | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Legislative body | Parliament of the United Kingdom |
| Meeting place | Palace of Westminster |
| Date | 13 May 2026 |
| Government | Starmer Ministry |
A State Opening of the Parliament of the United Kingdom took place on 13 May 2026,[1] when the monarch opened the second session of the Parliament elected at the 2024 general election to start the new session.[2][3] The chosen date was in the week after the 2026 United Kingdom local elections.[4] The speech was made in the House of Lords at just after 11.30am.[5]
It was the first State Opening of Parliament for Ed Davis as Black Rod.[6]
Background
[edit]On 26 March 2026, the date for the speech was set for 13 May.[7] On 8 May 2026, following the local elections, it was confirmed that there would be a State Opening of Parliament the following week. The prime minister's leadership has been reportedly damaged following the elections and the speech intends to refocus the government's agenda.[8] BBC News speculated that new laws on EU alignment and tourist tax could be included in the speech.[9] The speech was held at a point of leadership crisis.[10]
Preparation
[edit]
In the morning of 13 May, Nic Dakin, Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, was "taken hostage", as is tradition.[11] King Charles III wore his Admiral of the Fleet Royal Naval Number 1 Dress with cap and sword,[12] while Queen Camilla wore the State Diadem worn by every queen consort since Queen Adelaide.[13]
The King and Queen were accompanied by a Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry as they travelled in the Irish State Coach from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords. A separate coach carried the royal regalia – the Imperial State Crown, the cap of maintenance and sword of state – to Westminster.[14]
Legislative programme
[edit]The King's Speech included 37 pieces of legislation that Labour hoped to pass during the next parliamentary session.[15] Policy areas include digital ID and northern rail.[16]
The legislation includes:[17]
New bills
[edit]- European Partnership Bill
- Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill
- Clean Water Bill
- Competition Reform Bill
- Regulating for Growth Bill
- Enhancing Financial Services Bill
- Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill
- Northern Powerhouse Rail Bill
- Highways (Financing) Bill
- Overnight Visitor Levy Bill
- Social Housing Renewal Bill
- Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill
- Education for All Bill
- Remediation Bill
- Sporting Events Bill
- Police Reform Bill
- NHS Modernisation Bill
- Digital Access to Services Bill
- Removal of Peerages Bill
- Civil Aviation Bill
- Sovereign Grant Bill
- Immigration and Asylum Bill
- Energy Independence Bill
- Nuclear Regulation Bill
- Electricity Generator Levy Bill
- Tackling State Threats Bill
- National Security Bill
Draft bills
[edit]- Conversion Practices Bill
- Ticket Tout Ban Bill
- Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill
Carry-over bills
[edit]- Armed Forces Bill
- Courts and Tribunals Bill
- Cyber Security and Resilience Bill
- Northern Ireland Troubles Bill
- Public Office (Accountability) Bill
- Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill
- Representation of the People Bill
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Stacey, Kiran (13 May 2026). "Starmer sets out changes to education, health and courts in king's speech". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ↑ Clarke, Jennifer (24 May 2015). "What is the King's Speech and what happens during the State Opening of Parliament?". BBC News. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ Scott, Edward (2 September 2025). "Parliamentary sessions: Years without a King's Speech". House of Lords Library.
- ↑ Zeffman, Henry (18 December 2025). "King's Speech set for week after May's crunch elections". BBC News. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ↑ Stavrou, Athena (7 May 2026). "Everything you need to know about the upcoming King's Speech". The Independent. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Ed Davis confirmed as next Black Rod". www.parliament.uk. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ James, Rhiannon (26 March 2026). "King's Speech to take place on May 13". The Standard. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ Zeffman, Henry; Mason, Chris; Watson, Iain; Eardley, Nick (11 May 2026). "Analysis: Has Starmer done enough to save his premiership?". BBC News. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ Merry, Kate (10 May 2026). "New laws expected to be in the King's Speech". BBC News. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ Lockhart, Tom Place, Nicholas Cecil, Rachael Burford, Alastair (13 May 2026). "Starmer leadership rival Streeting 'set to quit' as King lays out PM's agenda - LIVE". The Standard. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ Eales, Courtney; Carubia, Emily; Greer, Jamie; Gibbons, Lottie (13 May 2026). "King Charles delivers King's Speech as Starmer in leadership chaos - LIVE". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ↑ Perryer, Sophie (13 May 2026). "Military takes on ceremonial role as King's speech marks start of new parliamentary session". www.forcesnews.com. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
- ↑ "Queen Camilla Wears the Historic State Diadem to the British Opening of Parliament". Town & Country. 13 May 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ↑ Davies, Caroline (13 May 2026). "What is the king's speech and what is the state opening of parliament?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
- ↑ "The key measures in the King's Speech". www.bbc.com. 13 May 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ↑ "From tourist tax to digital ID: BBC correspondents on key bills in King's Speech". BBC News. 13 May 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ↑ Langford, Eleanor (13 May 2026). "What was in the King's Speech - and what was missing". The i Paper. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
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