The ceremony was different from usual protocol, being the first since the COVID-19 pandemic began.[5] Only 74 people were allowed in the House of Lords when the speech was read, with a further 34 MPs and peers sitting in the Royal Gallery.[6] The Queen travelled from Buckingham Palace in a Range Rover instead of the traditional carriage.[7]
Substance
Speculation
There were expected to be between 25 and 30 bills mentioned in the speech,[8] including bills related to rent reform and employment.[9] BBC News reported that the speech would include measures on adult social care, Northern Ireland veterans, asylum reform, the English planning system, fixed-term parliaments, and building safety regulations.[10]
Announced bills
The following new bills were announced in the speech:[11]
Further legislation will also introduce the government's "New Plan for Immigration" and deal with legacy issues relating to Northern Ireland.[11]
The Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill would repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, restoring the power of the monarch to dissolve Parliament and call a new election at the request of the prime minister,[12] while the Electoral Integrity Bill would introduce mandatory photo identification for voters at general elections,[13] as well as granting British nationals who have lived overseas for over 15 years the right to vote.[14] The Judicial Review Bill would allow courts to issue suspended quashing orders, giving the government time to correct errors before a quashing order comes into effect, and abolish the right to judicial review of Upper Tribunal decisions at the High Court of Justice.[15]
The Online Safety Bill would create a new statutory duty of care of online platforms towards their users, obliging them to remove both illegal and "legal but harmful" content, and empower Ofcom to block access to particular websites. In addition, the bill would prohibit social media networks from removing certain forms of user-submitted political content or discriminating against particular political viewpoints.[16]
The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill would impose requirements for universities and students' unions to protect freedom of speech, allowing speakers to seek compensation for no-platforming, empowering the Office for Students to levy fines on infringing institutions, and creating a new ombudsman charged with monitoring cases of no-platforming and academic dismissals.[17]
Carried-over bills
In addition, the following bills were carried over from the 2019–21 legislative session:[18]
The consort's throne was absent from the House of Lords during the event due to COVID-19 restrictions: though the Queen's consort Prince Philip had died on 9 April 2021, the throne was expected to be returned and occupied by Prince Charles at future State Openings.[22]