The King’s Speech is an unusual way to announce government business. Governed by arcane rituals such as the searching of the cellars in Parliament and the capture of a member of the House of Commons to be held as a hostage by the monarchy, the person at the center of it all sits on a gold throne and delivers an agenda he’s had no hand in drafting.
Politics Facebook X LinkedIn Email Link Gift Expand King Charles III during the last King’s Speech, in the House of Lords on July 17, 2024.
Photographer: Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images Facebook X LinkedIn Email Link Gift Gift this article Contact us: Provide news feedback or report an error Confidential tip?
Send a tip to our reporters Site feedback: Take our Survey New Window Facebook X LinkedIn Email Link Gift By Joe Mayes May 12, 2026 at 9:30 PM UTC Bookmark Save The King’s Speech is an unusual way to announce government business. Governed by arcane rituals such as the searching of the cellars in Parliament and the capture of a member of the House of Commons to be held as a hostage by the monarchy, the person at the center of it all sits on a gold throne and delivers an agenda he’s had no hand in drafting.
This Wednesday it will take place in the shadow not just of the ceremonial figurehead, King Charles III , but also a prime minister in Keir Starmer whose power appears to be draining away.
