QUEEN'S SPEECH 

Many or most of the Government's proposals for the legislative year in Parliament are announced at the State Opening when the Queen reads out the Government's intentions. 

By historical convention (following the attempted arrest of three MPs by Charles 1st), the Monarch is not allowed to enter the House of Commons. When the Queen is seated in the House of Lords, she sends a servant - Black Rod (who in reality oversees the day-to-day running of the House of Lords) to summon MPs to hear the Queen's speech.

In an elaborate ceremony, as Black Rod approaches the doors of the House of Commons, they are shut in front of him and he knocks three times on the door, enters and commands the MPs to follow him to the Lords.

The MPs then return to the Commons and days of intense debate and scrutiny of the Government's proposals follow.

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