The traditional ceremony of the State Opening of Parliament by Her Majesty The Queen will take place today, 8th May 2013.
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The ceremony in the House of Lords will be conducted in the presence of all members of Houses, senior judges and accredited members of the Diplomatic Corps. The event will be televised live.
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The State Opening is the most colourful event of the Parliamentary year. It is also the most important, as it brings together the three elements of the legislature (the House of Commons, the House of Lords and The Queen). The ceremony represents the Crown in Parliament.
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The event at the Palace of Westminster is preceded by two ceremonial processions from Buckingham Palace in State Coaches to the Palace of Westminster along the Royal Processional Route of The Mall, Horse Guards and Whitehall into the Palace of Westminster.
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When the speech has been delivered the Royal Procession reforms and leaves the Lords Chamber, returning shortly afterwards in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace.
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There is a proportionate policing plan in place. It will however be necessary to close certain roads in and around the Palace of Westminster. The road closures are shown on the map below.
Road Closures will commence at 08.30 hrs
Roads will be reopened at approximately 14.00 hrs
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