Addresses to Members of Parliament
State visits or visits by other leading figures are often marked by a speech given to Members of both Houses of Parliament.
State visit of the President of Ireland 2014
President Michael D. Higgins addressed members of both Houses in the Royal Gallery on Tuesday 8 April. It was the first time an Irish head of state has addressed the UK Parliament.
Angela Merkel address 2014
German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed members of both Houses in the Royal Gallery on Thursday 27 February 2014.
Aung San Suu Kyi address 2012
Nobel peace prize winner and newly elected parliamentarian Aung San Suu Kyi addressed members of both Houses in Westminster Hall on Thursday 21 June during her visit to the UK.
State visit of the President of the USA 2011
As part of his State visit to the UK on 24-26 May 2011, President Barack Obama addressed members of both Houses on Wednesday 25 May.
Papal address 2010
On Friday 17 September 2010, as part of his official visit to the UK, Pope Benedict XVI addressed an audience of invited guests in Westminster Hall that included members of both Houses of Parliament, diplomats and representatives of civic society.
Recent addresses
October 2018: King and Queen of Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima
July 2017: King and Queen of Spain, King Felipe VI and Queen Letitzia
November 2016: President of the Republic of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos Calderon
April 2016: President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo
October 2015: President of China, Xi Jinping
March 2015: President of the United Mexican States, Enrique Peña
October 2014: President of Singapore, Tony Tan Keng Yam
November 2013: President of the Republic of Korea, Park Geun-hye
June 2013: Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper
November 2012: President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
November 2012: The Amir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Other notable addresses
On 15 May 2007, Bertie Ahern, Taoiseach of Ireland, addressed 500 Members of Parliament in the Royal Gallery to commemorate the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland. It was the first time that an Irish Prime Minister had addressed members of both Houses.
Nelson Mandela, François Mitterand, Mikhail Gorbachev, Bill Clinton and the Dalai Lama are among those who have all given addresses to MPs and members of the Lords.
- Commons Library note: Speeches to Members of both Houses of Parliament
Can I attend an address?
The public cannot gain access to addresses made to Members of Parliament. However, details about addresses will be posted on this webpage.
Image: House of Lords 2018 / Photography by Annabel Moeller