by Brian P Mccabe

Created on: November 06, 2007

The State Opening Of Parliament
I sat at home and watched the Queens speech at the state opening of Parliament live on BBC News 24.
This is the speech written by the Prime Minister and approved by the sitting cabinet that outlines the government's plans for the coming session of Parliament.
The Sovereign herself has no say in its contents although she is entitled to raise her eyebrow on occasion but only in private.

I had just turned on the TV to see hundreds of soldiers bedecked in their finest regalia on horseback escorting the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in their four horse drawn golden coach as they head towards the palace of Westminster and to the House of Lords where she will deliver her speech.
I instantly thought of a recent news report about the numbers of soldiers fighting in amongst other places, Iraq and Afghanistan and wondered, "What was all the fuss about?
Surely there cant be any crisis in numbers of volounteers if they can spare so many for this ceremony?"
Of course I only thought that for a second or two as its obvious tradition and pomp are far more important to the ruling classes than the squaddies who fight and die in her name.
As the golden coach and its entourage of other horse drawn coaches swing into view again the band of soldiers bedecked in their finest dress with bearskins on and carrying an assortment of brass instruments strike up a "Rousing" rendition of the British national anthem "God save the Queen".
Just a thought; but why do you never hear a full rendition of the British anthem sung? Including the verse "Marauding Scots to crush" or words to that effect?
Like I say it's just a thought.
The coach arrives at the grand entrance and she emerges with her ever-loyal husband dressed in full military regalia with a chest full of medals.
The Royal procession make their way on foot followed by a succession of page boys and ladies in waiting and more soldiers (no sedan chairs here you know) past bowing and curtseying minions towards the "Robing room" where she will be dressed in even more splendour and receive the crown before entering the House of Lords and to the throne from where she will deliver her speech.
The camera cuts to the interior of the chamber and we see an odd assortment of "Lords and Ladies" dressed identically in white fur trimmed red robes looking more like a Santa Claus convention gone horribly wrong because someone forgot to pack the white beards.
All sitting intently whispering amongst themselves and awaiting the jewels

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