EMBATTLED UK PRIME minister Keir Starmer has promised a package of measures within the King’s Speech to set a “new direction for Britain” as he fights to save his premiership.

The prime minister said the legislation in the King’s Speech would make the country “stronger and fairer” and help deliver the “change we promised” in Labour’s 2024 general election landslide.

The King’s Speech is delivered as part of the State Opening of Parliament, marking the start of the new parliamentary year in Britain and setting out the UK government’s priorities.

Charles delivers King's Speech wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

The UK government writes the speech which will be read out by Britain’s King Charles, and afterwards, MPs will debate the legislation set out and vote it through Parliament.

This time round, the speech came with Starmer’s position in peril following a wave of backbench MPs calling for him to go and a handful of ministerial resignations in the wake of a devastating set of election results for Labour in English councils, Wales and Scotland.

Charles said the government would “harness the potential of the pride felt across the country for its communities” and “take urgent action to tackle antisemitism”.

Charles delivers King's Speech alongside Camilla Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

In his introduction to the package of legislation set out by Charles, Starmer said the country was “at a pivotal moment” as it dealt with the fallout from wars in Iran and Ukraine.

Some of the measures in the King’s Speech included a new law to strip disgraced peers like Peter Mandelson of their titles and confirmation of Labour plans to lower the voting age to 16.

‘Hostage’ taking and the Black Rod

But while the speech came amid an uncertain and chaotic backdrop, it had all the usual pomp and ceremony, from “hostage” taking to searching the cellars of Palace Westminster for bombs.

It is the monarch’s duty as head of state to formally open each new session of Parliament as part of tradition and customs dating back centuries.

Britain's King Charles travels from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament to deliver the King's Speech Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

More than 1,100 members of the armed forces and almost 200 horses took part today as Charles made the short journey from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster.

Before Charles arrived, the Yeomen of the Guard searched the cellars of the Palace of Westminster for bombs, in a nod to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

Yeoman warders take part in ceremonial search ahead of the state opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

An MP was also taken “hostage” in Buckingham Palace while Charles was in Parliament to ensure the monarch’s safe return. 

This year’s “hostage” was the MP for Scunthorpe, Nic Dakin.

In a post on social media, he confirmed he was “off to Buckingham Palace to be the ‘hostage’ ensuring HM The King’s safe return when he opens Parliament – a tradition dating back to Charles I”. 

“Not sure I’m looking forward to it, but glad to play my part!”

Off to Buckingham Palace to be the “hostage” ensuring HM The King’s safe return when he opens Parliament - a tradition dating back to Charles I. Not sure I’m looking forward to it, but glad to play my part! pic.twitter.com/20eee1aqIN

— Nic Dakin MP (@NicDakin55) May 13, 2026

The Black Rod is another interesting tradition – the Black Rod is a person, though they also wield an actual rod.

Ed Davis was appointed as the new Black Rod in April 2025.

The Black Rod’s role at the State Opening of Parliament is one of the most well-known images of Parliament.

Black Rod bangs on the door of the House of Lords ahead of the King's Speech.

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They are sent to the Commons Chamber to summon MPs to hear the King’s Speech.

The door of the Commons is traditionally slammed in Black Rod’s face to symbolise the independence of the House of Commons.

The Black Rod then bangs on the door to the Commons Chamber with the actual rod three times.

As Black Rod knocked on the door, someone in the Commons shouted 'not now, Andy' pic.twitter.com/tH9VZ6Ygi1

— Josh Gafson (@JoshGafson1) May 13, 2026

The door is then opened and the Black Rod then leads all MPs to the Palace of Westminster to hear the King’s Speech.

The title ‘Black Rod’ comes from an ebony staff topped with a golden lion, which is the main symbol of the office’s authority. 

Meanwhile, Charles delivered the speech in the Imperial State Crown, which contains 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, five rubies and more than 270 pearls and weighs more than a kilogram.

-With additional reporting from Press Association