The ceremonial opening of the UK Parliament took place in London on Wednesday as Black Rod, the monarch’s representative in the House of Lords, walked to the House of Commons to summon lawmakers for King Charles III’s speech.
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Footage showed the Commons door being slammed shut in Black Rod’s face before being reopened after three knocks, a centuries-old tradition symbolising the independence of Parliament from the monarchy.
Lawmakers including Prime Minister Keir Starmer later gathered in the House of Lords to hear the King outline the government’s legislative agenda for the coming year.
