general election comes into view. this is in every respect a momentous day. in the house of lords, look at the magnificence of the chamber. such expectation. the peers and guests have already started to arrive to secure their seats for the biggest event in the parliamentary calendar. you don't get in if you appear without the suitable attire. it is a case of first come, first served as well. once on the throne, there it is, the monarch�*s throne and the consort of�*s thrown beside it. the king will unveil the government's legislative programme for the session ahead. it is a political moment and a first for rishi sunak on his first state opening as prime minister. we will be discussing all the wider political context later in the programme. once the imperial state crown is on, the political gloves are well and truly off and we will get a real sense of the battle lines over the next year or so, the issues that will win or lose the election. so to explore what all of this, and there is so much of it, actually means and to explain to the uninitiated, and i am frankly relatively uninitiated, are my guests. baroness heymann, the first lord speaker, the presiding officer of the house of lords, a position she held for five years. author and daily mail writer robert hardman who knows a lot of stuff, and the bbc�*s political editor, chris mason. lord mason of millbank, with his regalia, the simple sword of truth. because thatis the simple sword of truth. because that is what we do, the simple sword of impartiality. a quick word from all of you, if someone is flicking through the tv channels this morning and chances upon the something that is all a bit bewildering, what it mean? it is all a bit bewildering, what it mean? , , , ., , mean? it is bewildering but it means that the politics, _ mean? it is bewildering but it means that the politics, the _ mean? it is bewildering but it means that the politics, the day _ mean? it is bewildering but it means that the politics, the day to - mean? it is bewildering but it means that the politics, the day to day - that the politics, the day to day politics, the real life of politicians and what's going to happen legislatively in the next few years is there but there admits this ceremonial and a huge amount of pomp and pageantry, so everyone gets excited as being part of the pomp and pageantry but it is actually really symbolic in lots of ways because it is the only time you have the house of lords, the house of commons and the sovereign in one place at the same time, and that is the body that makes law. you cannot do it without all three.— do it without all three. absolutely, we have lots _ do it without all three. absolutely, we have lots of _ do it without all three. absolutely, we have lots of time _ do it without all three. absolutely, we have lots of time to _ do it without all three. absolutely, we have lots of time to talk - do it without all three. absolutely, we have lots of time to talk so - we have lots of time to talk so sound bites from all of you. very big day for the king?— sound bites from all of you. very big day for the king? yes, the one da of the big day for the king? yes, the one day of the year — big day for the king? yes, the one day of the year when _ big day for the king? yes, the one day of the year when we _ big day for the king? yes, the one day of the year when we see - big day for the king? yes, the one day of the year when we see a - day of the year when we see a monarch— day of the year when we see a monarch looking like what we think of a mnemonic, monarch looking like what we think ofa mnemonic, in monarch looking like what we think of a mnemonic, in a crown, coming monarch looking like what we think ofa mnemonic, in a crown, coming in at carriage _ ofa mnemonic, in a crown, coming in at carriage the — ofa mnemonic, in a crown, coming in at carriage. the constitution in human— at carriage. the constitution in human form. we have an unwritten constitution — human form. we have an unwritten constitution but we see it all play out today — constitution but we see it all play out today. as constitution but we see it all play out toda . �* ., ., constitution but we see it all play outtoda . �* ., ., ., , ., out today. a one-word answer from out today. a one-word answer from you today. — out today. a one-word answer from you today. a — out today. a one-word answer from you today. a lot _ out today. a one-word answer from you today, a lot of— out today. a one-word answer from you today, a lot of politics? - out today. a one-word answer from you today, a lot of politics? a - out today. a one-word answer from you today, a lot of politics? a lot i you today, a lot of politics? a lot of olitics you today, a lot of politics? a lot of politics after _ you today, a lot of politics? a lot of politics after a _ you today, a lot of politics? a lot of politics after a lot _ you today, a lot of politics? a lot of politics after a lot of _ you today, a lot of politics? a lot of politics after a lot of ceremony. the poshest — of politics after a lot of ceremony. the poshest par— of politics after a lot of ceremony. the poshest par lieke _ of politics after a lot of ceremony. the poshest par lieke klaver- of politics after a lot of ceremony. | the poshest par lieke klaver park, all of _ the poshest par lieke klaver park, all of the _ the poshest par lieke klaver park, all of the ambassadors' _ the poshest par lieke klaver park, all of the ambassadors' cars. - the poshest par lieke klaver park, | all of the ambassadors' cars. those here from _ all of the ambassadors' cars. those here from around _ all of the ambassadors' cars. those here from around the _ all of the ambassadors' cars. those here from around the world - all of the ambassadors' cars. those here from around the world come l all of the ambassadors' cars. thosei here from around the world come to parliament. — here from around the world come to parliament. to — here from around the world come to parliament, to our— here from around the world come to parliament, to our parliament- here from around the world come to parliament, to our parliament on. here from around the world come to parliament, to our parliament on a. parliament, to our parliament on a day like _ parliament, to our parliament on a day like this, — parliament, to our parliament on a day like this, to _ parliament, to our parliament on a day like this, to see _ parliament, to our parliament on a day like this, to see the _ parliament, to our parliament on aj day like this, to see the ceremony. ceremony, — day like this, to see the ceremony. ceremony. yes. _ day like this, to see the ceremony. ceremony, yes, but— day like this, to see the ceremony. ceremony, yes, but shed - day like this, to see the ceremony. ceremony, yes, but shed loads- day like this, to see the ceremony. ceremony, yes, but shed loads of. ceremony, yes, but shed loads of politics— ceremony, yes, but shed loads of politics to — ceremony, yes, but shed loads of politics to follow. _ ceremony, yes, but shed loads of politics to follow. it— ceremony, yes, but shed loads of politics to follow. [it is _ politics to follow. it is overwhelming, - politics to follow. it is overwhelming, so - politics to follow. it is - overwhelming, so beautiful politics to follow— overwhelming, so beautiful and majestic. let's look at what is happening today. the king accompanied by the queen, will arrive at the sovereign' entrance in the diamond jubilee state coach. from there, they will make their way up from there, they will make their way up the sovereign's staircase and go into the robing room. there are no cameras in the robing room. that is where they dress in the robes of the state. king charles iii will put on the imperial state crown. something to behold, only seen at the state opening of parliament and coronations. the king and queen will then process in state through the royal gallery, which is now packed with specially invited guests. they will head through princes chamber, which features portraits of the tudor kings. i was in there the other day, just an incredible place. there is also imposing marble statue, you can see it there, of queen victoria. then the king and queen victoria. then the king and queen will go from there to the chamber of the house of lords, and once he has taken his place on the throne, the signal will be given to the lord great chamberlain to give a signal to black rod to summon the commons to hear the speech. exactly half way between the lords and commons, roughly where black rod will be standing, is tina who is there for us this morning. this is the heart of the centre of the palace of westminster, which connects both chambers. as you can see, it is filling up fast and that is because it is one of the best locations to watch proceedings today. very shortly, there speaker's procession will pass through central lobby and then we will hear the police inspector shout out the traditional cry of "hats off, strangers". after that, black rod, the king's representative in the lords, will make her way to the commons to summon mps to hear the king's speech. as she approaches the common store, it is slammed shut in herface for ceremonial common store, it is slammed shut in her face for ceremonial reasons. it is one of the most famous rituals at the state opening of parliament and said to represent the independence of the commons from the sovereign. i will be here throughout the morning, speaking to mps and getting their reaction to the king's speech. thank you very much indeed. the queen alexandra's state coach is as you can see, departing buckingham palace with a precious and constitutionally very important cargo there because we have in there the imperial state crown, only seen at coronations and state opening of parliaments. we have the cap of maintenance, insignia of royalty, and also the sword of state, which is one of mi crown jewels, two—handed sword dating back to 1678. and first used at the coronation ofjames ii. as i have mentioned, this state opening is a full return to all their magnificence and splendour of previous state openings. a return to the spectacular traditions that we haven't seen for some time. but what does it take to get ready for a state occasion? here is the team at the royal mews during pretty inclement weather last week preparing for the events today. today we are practising for the procession, taking the crown jewels to parliament. lovely wet morning in london. it could be raining on the day and we still have to take his majesty and the crown jewels to the state opening of parliament. even if it is raining, we still carry on. we need to practice, get the forces used to the household cavalry in the household cavalry used to the carriages. these are the carriages we are using this morning exercise vehicles. it is currently 6.30 and the horses are harnessed up ready to go. i will go and get my livery on and we get going. lam i am responsible for all of the horses— i am responsible for all of the horses here. we have 33 here at the moment _ horses here. we have 33 here at the moment. before we leave, i make sure that everyone is up to the standard that everyone is up to the standard that we _ that everyone is up to the standard that we said in the royal mews. we have been— that we said in the royal mews. we have been preparing for the last couple _ have been preparing for the last couple of— have been preparing for the last couple of months. all the state harness — couple of months. all the state harness has to come out, clean, polished — harness has to come out, clean, polished. the carriages will have been _ polished. the carriages will have been cleaned, deliveries are cleaned _ been cleaned, deliveries are cleaned. the procession at the moment. _ cleaned. the procession at the moment, we have quite a lot of youngsters going out. our youngest horse _ youngsters going out. our youngest horse is — youngsters going out. our youngest horse is five years old. our oldest one would — horse is five years old. our oldest one would be 17 years old and it is trying _ one would be 17 years old and it is trying to— one would be 17 years old and it is trying to marry up the younger ones with the _ trying to marry up the younger ones with the old — trying to marry up the younger ones with the old ones to give the younger— with the old ones to give the younger ones some confidence and then we _ younger ones some confidence and then we have had lots of drills in and around — then we have had lots of drills in and around windsor in london to get them _ and around windsor in london to get them out _ and around windsor in london to get them out in — and around windsor in london to get them out in the crowd so they get used _ them out in the crowd so they get used to— them out in the crowd so they get used to people. on the day, i will be driving — used to people. on the day, i will be driving their queen alexandra state _ be driving their queen alexandra state coach, which traditionally takes _ state coach, which traditionally takes the — state coach, which traditionally takes the crown jewels to the palace of westminster. it is one of our favourite — of westminster. it is one of our favourite jobs. we haven't done a state _ favourite jobs. we haven't done a state job — favourite jobs. we haven't done a state job for a little while, so there — state job for a little while, so there is— state job for a little while, so there is tension in the yard come excitement. lots of preparation and it is going _ excitement. lots of preparation and it is going to be a great day. | excitement. lots of preparation and it is going to be a great day. i am a livery helper — it is going to be a great day. i am a livery helper here _ it is going to be a great day. i am a livery helper here at _ it is going to be a great day. i:n a livery helper here at the royal mews. this is runnymede. he will be my out riding horse for the state opening of parliament. runnymede is eight years old this year. he loves a treat. he isjust eight years old this year. he loves a treat. he is just a eight years old this year. he loves a treat. he isjust a real big gentle giant. he is a lovely character. it is one of the days, the state opening of parliament, where i will be in out rider in front of the grey six horse team with the king. runnymede will be partnered up with fiery girl because they are very similar in height and both very brave courses that will lead to the whole procession was that we have to get them fast, groomed as much as they need, especially with the grey horses. it is a challenge to keep them white. it's brilliant, great fun, they will have such great characters unlike things done in a certain way for study get to learn each one individually. the first time i have done a state opening of parliament. it has not been done for a while, so lots of pressure but excited. what a magnificent, beautiful animals there. we are seeing the aerial shots at the moment. as i have been finding out, the state opening is all about formality and traditions. one that goes back to the failed gunpowder plot in 1605 is the failed gunpowder plot in 1605 is the ceremonial search of the sellers of westminster, performed by the yeomen of the guard. slow march. the oldest military course still in existence, founded by henry vii in 1485. i like this. their payment for their vigilance and diligence is traditionally a glass of port. never a great idea before lunch! and rarely a good one after dinner, if you ask me. but it is kind of a case of rude not to. there they are. what a great thing to be involved with. if you are a yeomen of the guard. responsible for guarding the interior of the monarch's palaces. there are 73 yeomen of the guard. all former non—commissioned officers of the british services. robert, what a year it has been for the king. how would you assess it? it king. how would you assess it? it has been extraordinary. if you think 'ust has been extraordinary. if you think just six— has been extraordinary. if you think just six months ago, here we were at westminster, in the area, for the coronation — westminster, in the area, for the coronation. today, aside from the coronation. — coronation. today, aside from the coronation, this is the only time we are going _ coronation, this is the only time we are going to— coronation, this is the only time we are going to see charles iii wearing are going to see charles iii wearing a crown— are going to see charles iii wearing a crown in— are going to see charles iii wearing a crown in future. it is the only time _ a crown in future. it is the only time we — a crown in future. it is the only time we see all of that, the regalia come _ time we see all of that, the regalia come out — time we see all of that, the regalia come out if— time we see all of that, the regalia come out. if you go to the tower of london _ come out. if you go to the tower of london today, there is a sign there saying _ london today, there is a sign there saying "in — london today, there is a sign there saying "in use" because this is working — saying "in use" because this is working regalia. we see all of that. but at _ working regalia. we see all of that. but at the — working regalia. we see all of that. but at the same time, it comes at a very busy— but at the same time, it comes at a very busy time of year. at the weekend. _ very busy time of year. at the weekend, we will see the king leading — weekend, we will see the king leading the nation in remembrance. it is leading the nation in remembrance. it is an— leading the nation in remembrance. it is an absolutely central part of the royal— it is an absolutely central part of the royal calendar.— it is an absolutely central part of the royal calendar. look at this, a central part _ the royal calendar. look at this, a central part of— the royal calendar. look at this, a central part of the _ the royal calendar. look at this, a central part of the ceremony, - the royal calendar. look at this, a central part of the ceremony, the | central part of the ceremony, the yeomen of the guard taking part in that ceremonial search that we saw earlier, arriving there in the royal gallery. not to be confused with the yeomen wardens who guard the crown jewels at the tower of london. hester jewels at the tower of london. never aet them jewels at the tower of london. never get them muddled _ jewels at the tower of london. never get them muddled up! _ jewels at the tower of london. never get them muddled up! this _ jewels at the tower of london. never get them muddled up! this is - jewels at the tower of london. never get them muddled up! this is a - jewels at the tower of london. never get them muddled up! this is a day l get them muddled up! this is a day where i get them muddled up! this is a day where i guess— get them muddled up! this is a day where i guess he _ get them muddled up! this is a day where i guess he wakes _ get them muddled up! this is a day where i guess he wakes up - get them muddled up! this is a day where i guess he wakes up and - get them muddled up! this is a day i where i guess he wakes up and says, this is showtime.— this is showtime. well, yes, it's what monarchy _ this is showtime. well, yes, it's what monarchy is _ this is showtime. well, yes, it's what monarchy is all _ this is showtime. well, yes, it's what monarchy is all about. - this is showtime. well, yes, it's what monarchy is all about. you this is showtime. well, yes, it's - what monarchy is all about. you will see him _ what monarchy is all about. you will see him on— what monarchy is all about. you will see him on a — what monarchy is all about. you will see him on a throne in parliament. he is— see him on a throne i