To think that most people don't understand the significance of the King's Speech

[MargoLivebetter]

As it is happening today, I wondered whether fellow posters would be watching and if they knew what it was all about? I work in the broad field of political matters, so I'm very conscious of it, but I wondered if it meant anything to anyone else.

Interested to hear if I'm being AIBU. I hope I am!

@Inlaw it is just starting now. You can catch it on Parliament TV or any of the news outlets.

Can't speak for most people, but in my case YANBU. Thought you meant the film with Colin Firth. A new speech hasn't been on my radar at all.

Then again I've never watched a speech from the monarch. I like the royal family as a rule, went to the lying in state to pay my respects, travelled to London for the coronation etc but haven't ever sat and watched a speech.

not sure what you mean by "meant anything" I watch it because I enjoy the ceremony but I get the factual political info from the news media and always have. PS yabu and sounded VERY condescending.

@godmum56 apologies. I really didn't mean to sound condescending.

I didn't read your post as condescending or patronising btw, seemed like a curiosity to me as you're interested due to your career (or maybe more informed due to your work) and just wondering if those who didn't have that added prompt were taking notice to the level that you are.

Felt like a fair question to me!

Do not wonder. I totally know what it's about.

The pomp and ceremony is completely bonkers however. Gold carriages and out come the crowns again. The Lords packed to the rafters. Lots of shouting, doors shut in Black Rod's face, it's all a bit much.

3rd PM in 18 months, three State Openings of Parliament, let's hope we have some stability now the Tories are gone.

The same thing the late Queen did 🙄

I think in my case I would answer because it happens whether I am interested or not.

I was heavily involved in student politics at uni. I worked closely with Wes Streeting actually when he was NUS President. I believed, I campaigned, I was full of hope. Didn't make a blind bit of difference. Now I vote, I do things locally where I can really see the tangible results of my efforts, but otherwise stuff fluctuates up and down year on year, before and after elections and really the amount of difference I can personally make seems to vary very little whether I have taken notice of things like the Budget or not. So would prefer to spend my time on tasks which have a more tangible outcome on my own personal existence. Hearing the monarch speak or reading the budget don't fall under that category.

I've never listened to it and have no idea what it's about. I'm probably not alone so I guess I'm who you are aiming at. I will listen later once I've finished work.

I think you'll find most of us know what it is - although, as we are just back from Holiday, I had forgotten the speech was happening today, so am listening to it now. Not sure that we will get much more info today than we got in the run-up to the election. It's a very few weeks before Parliament rises for the summer break. So we'll have to listen to more of the same when the next Parliamentary session starts after the break.

Parts of it will probably not apply to the devolved areas of the UK either

And yes, your post could have been better worded, it doesn't come across as painting you in a positive light, I'm sorry

😂😂😂😂

Not watching. The pomp and ceremony doesn't interest me in the slightest. Reading the political commentary will be enough for me.

For me, I love watching the budget speeches. But, the real detail isn't in the speech - it comes out later - just headline grabbing stuff in the speech itself.

Yes exactly

I just saw the picture of Kind Charles on the bbc website with all that golden panelling around him and the huge crown and he had the same slightly melancholic expression you can sometimes see on prince George.

I know that so many people enjoy the pomp and long standing traditions but I like to imagine an alternative ceremony with Charles in a sharp suit looking all smart and 21st century and ready for all the challenges modern life is throwing at the country.

Autocorrect trying to change Charles to Chad lol

Well OP...as a result of your post I am, for the first time ever, listening to/watching the monarch speak.

I'm very very bored 😂 most people in the room with him don't look that stimulated either. The children are actually doing the best at standing to attention, many of the adults seem to be fidgeting and looking over their shoulders!

Watching now. The whole thing looks ridiculous. It distracts from the content of the speech.

It's eerily quiet too huh?! Genuinely feels awkward to watch.

@EatMoreFibre I do think that there is huge room for modernisation, as personally I think that that the outfits and carriages detract from what is going on. I think the significance of the Monarch going to Parliament once a year is important and our Upper House (the House of Lords) should be rammed and that should happen far more often, not just on ceremonial occasions.

My bad...apparently it's a respectful silence and moment of solemnity....

Obviously you must be so much more intelligent than the rest of us thickos on MN.
Perhaps you would like to enlighten us with your superior intellect.

Aw quite nice to see old and new PM having a friendly chat. That's more like what I want to see from politicians rather than bitching at each other.

I am interested in the contents, but won't listen to it live. I will be seeking out a synopsis after though, so I can see what has been said about things that i have a particular interest in.

I'm a bit of a nerd about it too. I love the ceremonial bits even though they are a bit ridiculous I like the symbolism of it. DS wants to do history and politics for A Level so the symbolism of the state opening of Parliament is important to both, so give told him to watch it. He's staying in London with his grandma and he fancied going to watch the drive to Parliament but I don't think he'll see anything, just get lost with all the closed bus routes so I've told him not to. However, if you aren't a politics need, the State Opening doesn't matter. It's not that important. We've voted already.

The king can't be held responsible in anyway for what happens politicaly, so I don't see this as anything other than a performance by a reality celebrity I have no interest in.

I preferred the original with Colin Firth.

I don’t think you were particularly patronising OP. I think we all live in our little bubbles and if everyone around us cares about a certain thing, it’s hard to imagine that there might be people who don’t give a shit about it.

I know what it is, but I wouldn’t be interested in watching it. My neighbours also apparently have no interest as most of them have been outside making a bloody racket all morning.