Everything you need to know about the upcoming King’s Speech

Politics
7 May 2026 • 8:56 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Everything you need to know about the upcoming King’s Speech

  • King Charles is scheduled to deliver the King's Speech in the House of Lords on Wednesday 13 May at approximately 11.30am.
  • This centuries-old tradition marks the start of a new parliamentary session and outlines the government's legislative agenda for the upcoming year.
  • The event is steeped in historical ceremony, including a procession from Buckingham Palace, a search for explosives, and the symbolic 'holding hostage' of an MP.
  • A key ritual involves Black Rod summoning MPs from the Commons, with the doors symbolically shut to assert the Commons' independence from the monarch.
  • Although delivered by the King, the speech's content is written by the government, detailing proposed policies and legislation, which will then be debated by both Houses of Parliament.

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