A speech from the throne, or throne speech, is an event in certain monarchies in which the reigning sovereign, or their representative, reads a prepared speech to members of the nation's legislature when a session is opened. The address sets forth the government's priorities for its legislative agenda, for which the cooperation of the legislature is sought. The speech is often accompanied by formal ceremony. It is often held annually, although in some places it may occur more or less frequently, whenever a new session of the legislature is opened.
Charles III reading the speech from the throne at the 2023 State Opening of Parliament in the United Kingdom
King Henry VIII at the opening of the Parliament of England at Bridewell Palace, 1523
Queen Elizabeth II (L, seated with Prince Philip, R) on the throne of the Parliament of Canada, from where she delivers the speech from the throne, 1957
In the 2020 Barbados Throne Speech, the government announced the end of the country's monarchy.
A legislative session is the period of time in which a legislature, in both parliamentary and presidential systems, is convened for purpose of lawmaking, usually being one of two or more smaller divisions of the entire time between two elections. A session may last for the full term of the legislature or the term may consist of a number of sessions. These may be of fixed duration, such as a year, or may be determined by the party in power. In some countries, a session of the legislature is brought to an end by an official act of prorogation, in others by a motion to adjourn sine die. In either event, the close of a session generally brings an end to all unpassed bills in the legislature, which would have to be introduced anew to continue debate in the following session.
A 16th-century depiction of the parliament of England in session, with King Edward I presiding