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You can hear the whole proceedings as broadcast on BBC Radio.
The State Opening Of Parliament
At the start of each Parliamentary year and - as now - after there has been a general election, the Queen comes to Parliament to open the new session. She delivers a special speech, written for her by the Cabinet, which sets out the Government's policy and legislative programme for the coming session.
The famous ceremony can be traced back to 1536 but its modern form dates from the opening of the present Palace of Westminster in 1852.
Despite all the respect and courtesy shown to the Queen, the ceremony does illustrate that real power lies with the House of Commons. Although the Queen delivers the speech she does not determine its contents and the Commons attend her of their own volition, they do not have to turn up.
The Ceremony
Before the Queen and the royal procession leave Buckingham Palace, the Crown, the Sword of State (representing the power to make war) and the Cap of Maintainance (representing mercy) are brought to Parliament in a state coach. A government whip called the Vice Chamberlain of Her Majesty's Household - Janet Anderson - is then ceremonially "held hostage" at the Palace to ensure the Queen's safe return.
Next the Queen travels down the Mall and along Whitehall to the House of Lords in a grand coach. She is escorted by the Household Cavalry and usually passes cheering crowds along the way.
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Heralding a new government
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Once she gets to the Palace of Westminster, the Queen changes in the Royal Robing room and then enters the House of Lords.
She is accompanied by numerous court officials, including the Mistress and Ladies of the Bedchamber and the Ladies of the Robes. The Lord Great Chamberlain and the Earl Marshall even walk backwards in deference to her.
When the Queen and all the Lords have sat down, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, known simply as Black Rod, then walks to the House of Commons to ask the MPs to come over to the Lords.
In accordance with tradition he first has the door slammed in his face, then knocks three times with his ebony stick, which has worn a deep groove into the door over the years. He summons the MPs by saying "Madam Speaker, the Queen commands this honorable House to attend her Majesty in the House of the Peers".
The Speaker, Betty Boothroyd, and all her staff leave first, followed by the MPs walking two by two. The MPs will be led by Tony Blair and John Major, the Prime Minister and leader of the Opposition.
When they reach the Lords all the MPs and staff from the Commons traditionally are not allowed to sit down, but "stand at the bar" and listen to the Queen give her speech.
Afterwards the Monarch returns to Buckingham Palace. The House of Commons then adjourns until 2.30pm when MPs return to begin debating the contents of the speech.
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