The government is referred to as “His Majesty’s Government”, and it’s the King’s duty to formally open the new session of Parliament each year. The Opening of Parliament joins together the three branches of the legislature under one roof: the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the monarch (“the Crown”) who lays out the government’s proposed agenda in his speech.
Before the king and Members of Parliament arrive, modern precautions are taken to ensure everyone’s safety, but there is also the ceremonial way. It has been done for centuries since the attempted bombing by Guido “Guy” Fawkes one November evening in 1605. You may recall the famous poem:
Remember, remember!
The fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Fawkes and his co-conspirators plotted to fill the cellars of the Palace of Westminster (where Parliament meets) with gunpowder to blow up the king and ministers. Fawkes and friends were discovered and arrested for treason. November 5th became known and celebrated as “Guy Fawkes Night”, a tradition filled with fireworks and the burning of Fawkes effigies.
Additionally, when a new session of Parliament opens, a ceremonial group of Yeomen of the Guard “search” the cellars at the Palace of Westminster to ensure there isn’t someone with gunpowder lurking below!
Next, a Black Rod (senior officer in the House of Lords) is sent from the Lords chamber to the Commons chamber to call all Members of Parliament to attend the King’s Speech From the Throne. Tradition states that the door of the Commons is slammed in Black Rod’s face in order to symbolize the Commons independence from the hereditary peers (the Lords). The Black Rod knocks on the door to be acknowledged and, finally, gain entry.
The king’s speech is formally called the “Speech from the Throne”. The king gives his speech from the throne in the House of Lords. Charles reads the speech, he doesn’t write it; it is written by the government to outline its proposed legislation for the new session.
The Governor General of a Commonwealth country performs constitutional duties on behalf of the monarch, which includes giving a Speech from the Throne. For example, Canada’s Governor General will read a speech written by the Canadian government to lay out the proposed legislation. Like the British monarch, the Governor General acts on the advice of the government but has the powers to advise, consult, and warn the Prime Minister of the day.