King Charles presides over the opening of the UK Parliament in centuries-old traditional ceremony

King Charles III delivered a speech for the first left-leaning UK government in 14 years, under PM Keir Starmer after Labour's landslide election victory. Traditions included Yeomen of the Guard, Black Rod, and symbols like the Imperial State Crown. Historians George Gross and Emma Crewe note these underscore Britain's evolution into a constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II had previously delegated this duty to Charles.