What happens after the Queen has delivered her speech to Parliament.
After the Queen has delivered the speech setting out the Government's agenda for the new session, the representatives of the state, including Members of both Houses of Parliament, the Church, the judiciary and invited guests, leave the Lords Chamber.
Parliament's work begins
Once the Queen leaves, it's back to business as usual for the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
Debating the Queen's Speech
Each House meets separately, in the afternoon, to begin debating the Government's programme of legislation and policies and to consider an "Address in Reply to Her Majesty's Gracious Speech".
The Lords meets at 3.30pm - an hour later than the Commons. The additional hour allows the Chamber of the House of Lords to be re-arranged - returning it to its usual format.
In both Houses, different subject areas are debated on each day of the debate following the ceremony. The Lords debate normally lasts six days (including the day of the ceremony) and the Commons debate seven days.
The debates following the Queen's Speech in 2010 took place over four days in the Lords. The subjects for the debates were as follows:
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Foreign and European Affairs, International Development, Defence
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Home, Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Local Government
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Business and Economic Affairs, Environment, Energy, Agriculture, and Transport
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Education, Health, Welfare and Culture
Parliamentary programme
After the five days of general debates on the Queen's Speech, the programme of work to turn what is outlined in the Queen's Speech into legislation begins as Bills are introduced in both Houses.
Each House continues to play a key role in examining and passing legislation and keeping a check on Government by scrutinising its activities.
Find out more about the role and work of the House of Lords and House of Commons: