queen's speech wikipedia

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What is the Queen's Speech?

Find out more about the Queen's Speech: who writes it, what the process is and what happens after the Queen delivers it.

It’s part of the State Opening of Parliament

The Queen’s Speech is the central part of the State Opening of Parliament , which happens when Parliament reassembles after a general election and then at the start of each Parliamentary session.

Only the monarch can call a Parliament together and no business can happen until the Queen reads her speech.

This Parliamentary session will be double the usual length

The Parliamentary session that follows the 2017 Queen’s Speech will be two years long. This is double the normal length, to allow both Houses of Parliament more time to discuss Brexit legislation.

It’s delivered at Parliament

To give the Speech, the Queen travels by car from Buckingham Palace to Westminster. The Imperial State Crown is transported ahead of her.

The Queen gives the Speech in the presence of members of both Houses. The Commons are summoned to hear the speech by an official known as ‘Black Rod’ .

It’s written by the government

Although the Queen delivers the Speech, the content is written by the government and approved by the Cabinet. It sets out the government’s policies and the proposed legislative programme for the new Parliamentary session.

It’s followed by a debate

Following the State Opening, the government’s plans are debated by both Houses. In the Commons, the first motion is that the House send an address to the Queen thanking her for the speech.

The debate that follows, which lasts several days, is a chance for MPs to speak on any matter of government.

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