THE official State Opening of Parliament took place on Wednesday, marking Labour's first time in Government since 2010.
The day, which is marked by the King's Speech laying out the Government's plans for the next parliamentary term, has its fair share of weird and wacky traditions, from Black Rod to an MP being held hostage.
Here are some of the best photos which capture the bizarreness of the day perfectly.
The King's Bodyguard, the Yeomen of the Guard, carry out the ceremonial search of the Palace of Westminster ahead of the king's arrival.
They are checking for explosives – a tradition which has been in place since the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, when Guy Fawkes led a group of English Catholics in an attempt to blow up Parliament.
Here you can see the king and queen leaving Buckingham Palace and heading towards Westminster in the decadent and extravagant Diamond Jubilee State Coach.
The carriage is drawn by six horses and comes complete with its own air conditioning.
Of course, the ceremonial maces get their own carriage, too.
Here, the king is pictured wearing the Imperial State Crown. The crown has a rich colonial history, with many jewels taken from other countries during the British Empire.
The crown contains 2868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 4 rubies, and 269 pearls. It weighs just over one kilogram.
This is the moment Sarah Clarke, the Black Rod, was sent to summon the House of Commons to the Lords.
The doors were slammed in her face before she knocked on it three times with the rod, symbolising the Commons' independence from the monarchy.
The MPs must now make their way to the Lords to hear the King's Speech. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and now-Leader of the Opposition Rishi Sunak could be seen engaging in some very light-hearted chit chat.
Given the nature of the General Election, it might seem strange to see these two politicians acting so friendly towards each other.
But with such bizarre traditions comes bizarre interactions like these.
And finally, to the main event – the speech. There isn't a more perfect image which encapsulates the wealth of the monarchy and the ridiculous traditions that come with the State Opening of Parliament.
The king was handed the speech by the Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood, who kept the speech in a special purse whilst the monarch was making his way through Westminster.
He is wearing the Robe of State, first worn by George VI in 1937.
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