What is the State Opening of Parliament?
The State Opening of Parliament marks the start of the parliamentary year and is the main ceremonial event of the parliamentary calendar - setting out the Government's agenda for the coming session.
For over 500 years, State Opening has served as a symbolic reminder of the unity of Parliament's three parts: the Sovereign; the House of Lords; and the House of Commons.
The State Opening ceremony takes place in the House of Lords Chamber but it is not a sitting of the House of Lords.
When is the State Opening of Parliament?
State Opening takes place on the first day of a new parliamentary session or shortly after a general election. The last State Opening took place on Tuesday 25 May 2010, shortly after the last general election. The date for the next State Opening has not yet been set. Once a date has been fixed, it will be announced by the Government in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
The Fixed Term Parliament Act, which sets out new rules on the timing of general elections, received Royal Assent (became law) on 15 September 2011. This means that the next general election will be on 7 May 2015. There will be a state opening soon after this date.
Further information
Can I read the Queen's Speeches from previous years?
Following the general election on Thursday 7 June 2001, the new Parliament was summoned to meet on Wednesday 13 June. The first business was the election of the Commons Speaker and swearing-in of Members. The State Opening of Parliament took place on Wednesday 20 June 2001.
Please note that this is the complete list of the Queen's Speech available electronically from this site. If you are interested in finding earlier editions, please contact the Parliamentary Archives
When will the next State Opening of Parliament take place?
The date for the next State Opening of Parliament has not yet been set.