the State Opening of Parliament
/ðə ˌsteɪt ˌəʊpənɪŋ əv ˈpɑːləmənt/
/ðə ˌsteɪt ˌəʊpənɪŋ əv ˈpɑːrləmənt/
- the official opening of each session (= series of meetings) of the British Parliament. The ceremony takes place each year in May or June, and after a change of government. The queen or king travels in a special coach (= a vehicle pulled by horses) to the Houses of Parliament, and makes the Queen's Speech or King's Speech to members of both Houses in the House of Lords.