King's Speech focuses on law and order as he opens Parliament

It's King Charles' first state opening of Parliament since becoming monarch

King Charles III during an earlier state opening by Queen Elizabeth II
Author: Chris MaskeryPublished 7th Nov 2023

King Charles III will give a speech later at his first State Opening of Parliament as monarch, with the criminal justice system expected to feature heavily in Rishi Sunak's plan for the government.

A series of measures in the King’s Speech will promise tougher sentences for killers, rapists and grooming gang ringleaders.

With a general election expected in 2024, the Prime Minister has put a series of criminal justice laws at the heart of the King’s Speech, which sets out the Government’s programme for the new session of Parliament.

It will be the first state opening of Parliament by Charles, although he delivered the last Queen’s Speech of Elizabeth II’s reign in place of his mother in 2022.

What is the state opening of Parliament?

The State Opening of Parliament is a significant event where the monarch delivers a speech, outlining their government's plans and proposed laws for the upcoming parliamentary session.

It is a formal and ceremonial occasion that marks the beginning of a new session of Parliament and sets out the legislative agenda. The monarch typically wears a crown, arrives in a carriage, and delivers the speech from the throne in the House of Lords.

The event is rich in tradition and includes ceremonial activities like searching the cellars, (following the failed gunpowder plot) and other symbolic gestures. Dignitaries, including the Prince of Wales (now, William.) accompany the monarch, and the session officially commences after the speech. It's a significant event marking the start of a new parliamentary session and the government's plans.

What is the King expected to say?

The proposals set out by the Prime Minister and read by the King will deliver on already-announced proposals that mean killers convicted of the most horrific murders should expect whole life orders, meaning they will never be released, while rapists and other serious sexual offenders will not be let out early from prison sentences.

Other measures include giving police the power to enter a property without a warrant to seize stolen goods, such as phones, when they have reasonable proof that a specific stolen item is inside.

That could mean using a device’s own GPS tracking capability to lead police to where it had been stashed.

The new Criminal Justice Bill will include measures to ensure reasonable force can be used to make offenders appear in the dock to face their victims for sentencing, or risk having up to two years added to their jail term.

This was brought to the public's attention when the mother of murdered 9-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel campaigned for the measures as part of 'Face the Family'.

Other measures expected in the King’s Speech include a law to mandate annual oil and gas licensing in the North Sea – a key dividing line with Labour.

The speech could also introduce a law that would stop children who turn 14 this year and those younger from ever legally buying cigarettes or tobacco in England, as promised by Mr Sunak at the Tory conference.

Who or what is Black Rod?

Black Rod is an official who plays a symbolic role during the State Opening of Parliament. The role currently belongs to Sarah Clarke, the former head of administration at The Championship at Wimbledon.

The Speaker of the house of Lords, Commons, King Charles III and Sarah Clarke (Black Rod)

The Black Rod summons MPs from the House of Commons to attend the House of Lords for the state opening and the King's Speech. Black Rod will ceremonially approcah the door to the house of commons before knocking on the door and it slamming closed on them. The symbolic gesture represents the independence and separation of powers between the unelected House of Lords and the elected, House of Commons.

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.