Queen Opens Parliament Aka State Opening Of Parliament (1958)

Full title reads: "Queen Opens Parliament". Intertitle reads: "With historical ceremonial, filmed for the first time, Her Majesty inaugurates new session." Zoom shot, outwards from centre spire of Houses of Parliament, London. BV Elevated, peers and visitors in House of Lords awaiting arrival of Queen, pan up to throne. CU Coat of arms. GV Crown being brought in escorted by Yeomen of the Guard (Beefeaters). Crown is handed to Lord Great Chamberlain who turns and walks towards camera with crown and places it on table. Yeomen of the Guard turn and stand to attention. SV Lord Great Chamberlain standing looking at crown with Yeomen of the Guard standing to attention, Lord Chamberlain turns and walks away from crown. CU The Crown. SV Sword of State and Cap of Maintenance brought in, Sword of State handed to Viscount Bernard Montgomery and Cap of Maintenance to the Earl of Home (Alec Douglas-Home). CU Earl of Home holding the Cap of Maintenance to the Earl of Home. CU Earl of Home holding Cap of Maintenance and Viscount Montgomery holding the Sword of State. GV Duke and Duchess of Gloucester accompanied by the Duchess of Kent and Princess Alexandra to the House of Lords. CU Yeoman of the Guard. Angle shot, Big Ben showing the time to be 10.45 am. Various shots of Royal Coach on its journey to Palace of Westminster. Various Shots Search of the cellars of the Houses of Parliament. LV In House of Lords looking towards door through which the Queen will enter after coming from the Robing Room. GV Peers and visitors. standing. SV Doors, Lord Great Chamberlain comes forward and signals for doors to be opened. They open them to reveal Queen Elizabeth II in her robe and crown escorted by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, The Peers turn to face the camera and begin to walk towards camera. SV Queen with Duke making their way towards the throne. LV Queen and Duke walking towards camera. GV Ditto, they pass under the camera, and just the page boys holding her train are left in picture. State Opening of Parliament - Palace of Westminster, London. GV House of Lords rising. LV Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh walking slowly to the throne, the Queen mounts the steps to the throne, she sits down and gives permission for the Lords to be seated. Lord Great Chamberlain comes forward and receives the Queen's command that the Speaker and Members of House of Commons be summoned. LV Black Rod (General Sir Brian Horrocks) at the Bar bows the Queen, turns and leaves the Chamber. SV Members of Lords seated together with three women peeresses without hats. CU Ditto, showing another peeress without hat. SV Members of Royal Family waiting, including Duchess of Gloucester Duchess of Kent, Princess Alexandra and others. SV Queen seated on the throne waiting for the return of Black Rod. GV Speaker of House of Commons returning to bar followed by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and Mr Hugh Gaitskell. SV Various members of House of Commons standing, pan to Prime Minister who is putting on his glasses. LV Lord Chancellor, Viscount Kilmuir advances to throne and drops on one knee and offers the Queen the printed speech, Lord Chancellor moves slowly backwards down the steps. SV The Queen speaking. Dubbing shot of Duke listening. Various shots of the Queen speaking ('The Queen's Speech'). SV Lord Chancellor receiving back from the Queen the printed speech. Cataloguer's Note: The Coverage of the Queen's Speech concentrates on foreign affairs, there are no quotes about home issues - MD. Selected originals exist for this item - see other records. Interesting paperwork about thsi ceremony is found in the issue file. FILM ID:1549.24 FOR LICENSING ENQUIRIES VISIT http://www.britishpathe.com/