Mailwatch(ed) Forum

Watching the finely choreographed and absurd pantomime that is the state opening of parliament.

"And as the Grand Wizard of the Purple Carpet bears the Underpants of Continuance at the head of the King's procession ......"

It's a right load of old bollocks, is it not ?

Small concessions to modernity : The Serjeant-at-Arms is now a black guy, and Black Rod is now a woman.

Baby steps, eh?

Not all of it.
Important parts of the constitution are symbolically expressed, such as slamming the door of the commons chamber in the face of Black Rod, the procession of the mace showing the relationship between the constitutional monarch and the people, the summoning of MPs. In default of a written constitution it is in these ceremonies that important relationships and responsibilities are re-stated.

Personally I think the majesty of the monarchy is overstated, and the supremacy of parliament should be more strongly expressed.

The fact that Black Rod is a woman is perhaps less important than the fact that she is the first non-military BR. And yes, the symbolism of a citizen of colour carrying the mace is very powerful.

A lot of the flummery isn’t traditional but conceived by the Victorians to bolster imperial splendour and compete with the razzmatazz of the music hall. Which makes sense as it’s puzzling that this level of absurdity survived the usurping of James II and the nightmare of the civil war.
The Invention of Tradition is a good read that explores this modern fakery
https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/eric-ho ... R001357855

My take; people who are reliant on food banks are happy to stand at the side of the road and cheer gold coaches and their contents of jewellery and crowns!

Bread and circuses, Mr. Watch. Bread and circuses.