The Queen is to carry her ceremonial duty with the State Opening of Parliament on Tuesday, May 11. 

It will be the first public ceremonial duty the Queen has carried out since the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, and her first public appearance since her husband's funeral. 

Charles, The Prince of Wales, will be at the event as he has for the last 3 openings.

What time is the Queen's speech?

The key aspects of Queen's Speech ceremony will take place between 11am and 12.30pm on Tuesday, May 11.

What impact is Covid having on the Queen's speech?

MPs and members of the House of Lords will have to wear masks throughout unless they are exempt, and everyone present will have to take a Covid test beforehand and only be allowed to attend if they have a negative result. 

Significantly fewer politicians and peers will be there compared with previous years and no diplomatic or non-parliamentary guests have been invited, with just 108 people attending including the Queen.

There will 74 people in the chamber, including the monarch, Charles, Camilla, the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer, representatives from the House of Lords and House of Commons and those involved in the ceremonial procession.

There will also be 17 members of the Lords and 17 MPs in the Royal Gallery.

There will be no military street liners or lining of the Sovereign’s staircase and no military band nor Guard of Honour outside the Palace of Westminster or as part of the procession from Buckingham Palace.

Who is Black Rod?

Black Rod is responsible for controlling access to parliament and maintaining order. 

Sarah Clarke, Lady Usher of the Black Rod, will see the doors to the Commons shut in her face as she arrives to summon MPs.

She has to strike the door three times before it is opened.

It is a practice that dates back to the Civil War and is said to symbolise the Commons’ independence from the monarchy.