The event is specifically designed to showcase the ceremonial grandeur of political power in order to “excite and preserve the reverence of the population,” as put by Walter Bagehot, the 19th-century writer whose ideas have shaped British democracy.

Dating back to the 15th century, these rites and rituals are the only occasion that brings together the three elements of Parliament: the democratically elected lawmakers of the House of Commons, the unelected House of Lords, and the Crown. It is also an embodiment of the at times violent transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy that helped create the modern United Kingdom.

Starmer’s predicament is not entirely without precedent: the king’s speech went ahead in 1924 despite the widespread understanding that Stanley Baldwin would not be in the job for long. However, Baldwin’s Conservatives were in a far weaker position, having failed to win a majority at the recent election.

Starmer by contrast looks imperious on paper, with an overwhelming parliamentary majority and no way for opponents to challenge him until 2029.

Nonetheless, on Wednesday the king was “entering a Parliament that is febrile,” Prescott said. “The politics of all this is a bit too close for comfort.”

The day started with security measures both real and melodramatic.

With the airspace above London restricted, deep in the dank cellars of the Houses of Parliament the yeoman of the guard, the king’s scarlet-clad bodyguards, reenacted the 1605 Gunpowder Plot that saw Guy Fawkes’ plans discovered just in time.

Charles traveled from Buckingham Palace to Parliament in a horse-drawn stage coach flanked by a 100-strong guard of honor. This included military bands and the mounted Life Guards, the rain pinging off their steel breastplates and ceremonial swords.

In a separate carriage was the Royal Regalia, transported from the Jewel House at the Tower of London to Westminster.

On the Mall, the wide avenue leading to the palace, a sudden downpour and a bitter wind buffeted a scant line of crowds, huddled under umbrellas against the barriers lining the iconic red roadway.

Most onlookers were tourists not overly concerned with the real-world drama playing out down the street. “I read about Keir Starmer but I don’t know too much about it,” said Tomaso Semola, 65, a vacationer from Venice, Italy, who had just watched Charles’ carriage roll by. “We have our own political problems in Italy!” he joked.

A lawmaker was held “hostage” at Buckingham Palace to ensure the monarch’s safe return. It’s a tradition that dates back to the current monarch’s namesake, Charles I, who attempted to storm parliament in 1642 to arrest lawmakers for treason. That sparked a civil war and Charles’ eventual beheading.

This year the role of hostage was played by Nic Dakin, a former English teacher from the northern town of Scunthorpe.

“Not sure I’m looking forward to it, but glad to play my part!” he posted to X early Wednesday.

The king arrived in parliament dressed in the Robe of State, complete with velvet cape. The Imperial State Crown — all 3,000 precious stones and 2.87 pounds of it — was then placed on his head.

His procession into a packed House of Lords was followed by Charles dispatching a messenger known as “Black Rod” to summon elected lawmakers from the Commons.

He had the door slammed in his face to cries of “close the door,” another nod to Charles I’s attempted storming of the chamber. Rod struck the door three times before being let in, then leading the lawmakers to the Lords for the king’s speech.

This set out the government’s agenda, to be debated by both houses for around five days before they vote on it.

What’s unclear is whether Starmer will still be leading that government when they do.