King Charles III Delivers Second Speech from the Throne
King Charles III marked the opening of the new parliamentary session with his second speech from the throne, accompanied by Queen Camilla. The ceremony took place in the House of Lords, where Charles outlined the agenda of the newly elected Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The speech is a significant constitutional duty of the British monarchy, symbolizing the start of a new session of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Queen Camilla Celebrated with Gun Salutes on Her Birthday
Despite the royal duties, Queen Camilla's 77th birthday was not overlooked. She accompanied King Charles in a procession from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords, where she was honored with two consecutive gun salutes from the Royal Horse Artillery. The Queen appeared radiant in traditional white attire, adding a touch of elegance to the solemn event.
Labour Government's Agenda: Economic Growth and Climate Action
The Labour government, back in power after 14 years, unveiled an ambitious agenda focusing on economic growth and climate action. King Charles emphasized the urgency of addressing the global climate challenge, highlighting the transition to clean energy and the production of sustainable aviation fuel. The government also aims to enhance economic stability, improve trade relations with the European Union, and provide full support to Ukraine. Notably, Labour plans to reform the House of Lords by removing the right of hereditary peers to vote and increasing tuition fees for private schools.
- The ceremony is celebrated with great pomp and is one of the most important constitutional duties of the British monarchy. The King and Queen rode in the golden state coach in a procession led by the Household Cavalry from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament. At around 11.20am, the Sovereign went to the Robe Room, where he was presented with the State Crown. He then put on his ceremonial robes before leading the procession through the Royal Gallery to the House of Lords before taking his place on the throne.
- For Charles III, it is his second speech from the throne as monarch, which is delivered in the Lords' Chamber. He then read out the agenda of the newly elected government for the new session. The new Labour government, which is back in power after 14 years in opposition, wants to have more than 35 bills announced. The government's program focuses on efforts to stimulate economic growth.
- Labour then announced that it wanted to fight against certain privileges, by removing “the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote” in the lower house of Parliament, but also by increasing the tuition fees of private schools through a tax exemption.
- Economically, the new British government has promised “stability” and “ensuring economic growth” – echoing the fall of 2022 when Conservative Prime Minister Liz Truss sowed panic on the financial markets with declines in unfunded taxes. The promise to have the budgets “independently” evaluated was also made.
- The new British government wants to “redefine” relations between the United Kingdom and its “European partners”. But he also wants to “improve trade and investment relations with the European Union”, indicated Labor Prime Minister Keir Starmer through the speech read by the king, before also repeating the “total support” of the United Kingdom. United with Ukraine.
- Labour, through the voice of Charles III, finally confirmed wanting to create a new security force with “anti-terrorist powers” to “strengthen” the fight against smugglers, who have allowed nearly 90,000 migrants to arrive since 2022. to the United Kingdom by crossing the Channel on small boats, often at the risk of their lives. The government had already announced that it would abandon the plan to expel migrants to Rwanda, described as “terrible” by the king before he acceded to the throne.
