The royals have a weird tradition of kidnapping an MP during the State Opening of Parliament.
The royals appear to have many customs that ordinary people do not comprehend, but this one has to be the most bizarre.
The State Opening of Parliament occurs on the first day of a new parliamentary session or immediately after a general election, which was held lately.
There’s also a very bizarre ceremony associated with it.
The present Head of State, King Charles, is always the one to perform it.
The king will give a speech announcing his upcoming state visits before outlining the government’s objectives for the next parliamentary session.
Despite being read aloud by the King, it is written by the government.
The length varies depending on the amount of proposed laws, but it typically lasts around 10 minutes.
Bills on workers’ rights, railway renationalisation, illegal immigration, housing and planning, and House of Lords reform were among those announced by the Labour administration at this year’s State Opening.
However, before the King comes to parliament, the Royal Household has a rather peculiar task to complete.
It is their duty to hold a Member of Parliament hostage for the duration of the inauguration ceremony.
This ceremony began as a measure to assure the sovereign’s safety during their visit, particularly amid earlier conflicts between the king and Parliament. The hostage normally remains at Buckingham Palace until the King returns.
I guess that was an awkward chat…
And the weird traditions do not stop there!
For over 300 years, exactly six ravens have been required to live at the Tower of London.
Why do you ask?
King Charles II insisted on conserving the Tower’s birds, believing that they would safeguard both the nation and the crown.
And according to superstition: “If the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it.”
And, while there’s no truth to this, I understand why he doesn’t want to take the risk.
The royals appear to take superstitions quite seriously, as they also apply to their coronation rites.
According to legend, any misfortunes foreshadowed a disastrous reign.
That’s presumably why the rehearsal process is so tough.
