It was an event almost 75 years in the making: King Charles III opened Britain’s Parliament for the first time as monarch.
The King‘s speech was watched by some who were eager to discover Prime Minister Rishi Sunak‘s plans for the United Kingdom and others who were curious to see if His Majesty could live up to Queen Elizabeth II‘s expectations.
After all, this is England, and even though it was a major political event, the pomp and pageantry were alive and well.
King Charles, who arrived in a horse-drawn carriage, was draped in a heavy, jewel-encrusted robe and wore the Imperial State Crown.
The priceless crown contains 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and five rubies and was created for Queen Victoria’s coronation in 1838.
His Majesty was accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla, who wore her fancy coronation dress and the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Diadem crown, which is valued at almost 7 million dollars.
One of the most valued pieces of the royal collection is the crown, which was made in 1821 and is set with 1,333 diamonds in silver and gold.
King Charles sat on a lavish throne and read the speech that was prepared by the prime minister, Rishi Sunak.
The Monarch must not have been a great poker player because the emotions were visible on his face; he looked sad and uncomfortable as he delivered his remarks.
Yes, the crown is heavy for the one who carries it, but that is not the reason why King Charles “lacked ownership and inner strength with his words.” He disapproves of some of the Conservative government’s legislative priorities, which he was forced to outline.
King Charles, a lover of nature and a fighter for the environment since he was a teenager, nervously announced that the UK government’s upcoming policy plan is to expand oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
King Charles’s voice cracked and showed the emotions of sadness as he went against his personal and political views to make this announcement: “Legislation will be introduced to strengthen the United Kingdom’s energy security and reduce reliance on volatile international energy markets and hostile foreign regimes. This bill will support the future licensing of new oil and gas fields, helping the country to transition to net zero by 2050, without adding undue burdens on households.”
Last month, Britain’s King Charles addressed the French Senate in Paris. During the historic speech, he tackled climate change.
King Charles will travel to Dubai to attend The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP 28, where he will deliver a speech advocating for climate action and more green energy.
Some royal experts believed that King Charles might have been hit with sadness because hours before his speech Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attempted to steal his thunder by sharing a statement about not being invited to his birthday party.
Below, is the full transcript of King Charles’s speech outlining the Conservative Party’s agenda, which includes a total ban on smoking, tougher legislation on crime, and the UK’s involvement in Ukraine and Israel.
My lords and members of the House of Commons. It is mindful of a legacy of service and devotion to this country set by my beloved mother, the late Queen, that I deliver this, the first King’s speech over 70 years. The impact of COVID and the war in Ukraine have created significant long-term challenges for the United Kingdom. That is why my government’s priority is to make the difficult but necessary long-term decisions to change this country for the better.
My ministers’ focus is on increasing economic growth and safeguarding the health and security of the British people for generations to come. My government will continue to take action to bring down inflation, ease the cost of living for families, and help businesses fund new jobs and investments.My ministers will support the Bank of England to return inflation to target by making responsible decisions on spending and borrowing. These decisions will help reduce public sector debt and safeguard the financial security of the country. Legislation will be introduced to strengthen the United Kingdom’s energy security and reduce reliance on volatile international energy markets and hostile foreign regimes. This bill will support the future licensing of new oil and gas fields, helping the country to transition to net zero by 2050, without adding undue burdens on households.
Alongside this, my ministers will seek to attract record levels of investment in renewable energy sources and reform grid connections, building on the United Kingdom’s track record of decarbonizing faster than other G7 economies. My government will invest in Network North to deliver faster and more reliable journeys between and within the cities and towns of the north and Midlands, prioritizing improving the journeys that people make most often.
My ministers will strengthen education for the long term. Steps will be taken to ensure young people have the knowledge and skills to succeed, through the introduction of the advanced British standard that will bring technical and academic roots into a single qualification. Proposals will be implemented to reduce the number of young people studying for poor-quality university degrees and increase the number undertaking high-quality apprenticeships.
My ministers will take steps to make the economy more competitive, taking advantage of freedoms afforded by the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, a bill will be brought forward to promote trade and investment with economies in the fastest-growing region in the
world.My ministers will continue to negotiate trade agreements with dynamic
economies, delivering jobs and growth in the United Kingdom. My ministers will introduce new legal frameworks to support the safe commercial development of emerging industries such as self-driving vehicles, introduce new competition rules for digital markets, and encourage
innovation in technologies such as machine learning. Legislation will be brought forward to support the creative industries and protect public interest journalism. Proposals will be published to reform welfare and support more people to work.
My government will promote the integrity of the union and strengthen the social fabric of the United Kingdom. Working with NHS England, my
government will deliver its plans to cut waiting lists and transform the
long-term workforce of the National Health Service. This will include delivering on the NHS Workforce Plan, the first long-term plan to train the
doctors and nurses the country needs and minimum service levels to
prevent strikes from undermining patient safety. Record levels of investment are expanding and transforming mental health services to ensure more people can access the support they need.
My government will introduce legislation to create a smoke-free generation by restricting the sale of tobacco so that children currently aged
14 or younger can never be sold cigarettes and the sale and
marketing of e-cigarettes to children. My ministers will bring forward
a bill to reform the housing market by making it cheaper and easier for leaseholders to purchase their freehold and tackling the exploitation of millions of homeowners through punitive service charges. Renters will benefit from stronger security of tenure and better value while landlords will benefit from reforms to provide certainty that they can regain their properties when needed.
My government will deliver a long-term plan to regenerate towns and
put local people in control of their future. Legislation will be brought forward to safeguard the future of football clubs for the benefit of communities and fans. A bill will be introduced to deal with the scourge of unlicensed pedicabs in London.
My government is committed to tackling anti-Semitism and ensuring that the Holocaust is never forgotten. A bill will progress the construction of a national Holocaust Memorial and Learning Center in Victoria Tower Gardens.My government will act to keep communities safe from crime, antisocial behavior terrorism, and illegal migration. A bill will be brought forward
to ensure tougher sentences for the most serious offenders and increase the confidence of victims.
My ministers will introduce legislation to empower police forces and
the criminal justice system to prevent new or complex crimes, such as digitally enabled crime and child sexual abuse including grooming. At a time when threats to National Security are changing rapidly due to new technology, my ministers will give the Security and Intelligence Services the powers they need and will strengthen independent judicial oversight. Legislation will be introduced to protect public premises from terrorism in light of the Manchester Arena attack.
My government will deliver on the Illegal Migration Act passed earlier
this year and on international agreements to stop dangerous and illegal channel crossings and ensure it is the government, not criminal gangs, who decide who comes to this country.
My government will continue to champion security around the world, to
invest in our gallant armed forces and support veterans to whom so much is owed.
My ministers will work closely with international partners to support
Ukraine, strengthen NATO, and address the most pressing security
challenges. This includes the consequences of the barbaric acts of
terrorism against the people of Israel, facilitating humanitarian support
into Gaza and supporting the cause of peace and stability in the Middle
East.My government will continue to lead action on tackling climate change and
biodiversity loss, support developing countries with their energy transition, and hold other countries to their environmental commitments. The United Kingdom will continue to lead international discussions to ensure that artificial intelligence is developed safely.
My government will host the Global Investment Summit, the European
political community, and the energy conference, leading Global conversations on the United Kingdom’s most pressing challenges. I look forward to welcoming His Excellency, the president of the
Republic of Korea and Mrs. Kim Keon-hee for a state visit later this
month.
My government will, in all respects, seek to make long-term decisions in the
interests of future generations. My ministers will address inflation and the drivers of low growth over demands for greater spending or borrowing. My ministers will put the security of communities and the nation ahead of the rights of those who endanger it. By making these long-term decisions, my government would change this country and build a better
future.
Members of the House of Commons, estimates for the public
services will be laid before you. My Lords and members of the House of
Commons, other measures will be laid before you. I pray that the blessing of almighty God may rest upon your counsels.
