Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his predecessor Rishi Sunak were spotted joking with each other as they headed into the House of Lords for the King’s Speech.
Following Black Rod, the pair strolled through the Commons together as they made their way to spectate King Charles’s speech.
Speaking on GB News, royal commentator Rafe Heydel-Mankoo pointed out how the roles were reversed just eight months ago.
But today it is Keir Starmer’s agenda being set out after his Labour Party dealt the Tories a crushing blow in this month’s General Election.
Rishi Sunak spoke to Keir Starmer as they headed to the House of Lords
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It came as protesters threatened to mar proceedings as they set up shop outside Parliament with pro-Palestine and Republic demonstrations taking place simultaneously.
Ten members of Youth Demand have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.
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Further arrests were taking place in Victoria Embankment Gardens where up to 25 more demonstrators had gathered.
A spokesperson said: “When political leaders don’t have the guts or the moral backbone to lift a finger for the people of Palestine after months of public outcry, it becomes clear how broken our political system is. Meanwhile the police protect those in power making the decisions that are destroying people’s lives.
“It is increasingly obvious to ordinary people that the only way we are going to see meaningful change is through civil disobedience.
“The Government must protect life here and abroad by seeing an immediate halt to weapons trading with Israel and an immediate cancellation of all fossil fuel licences granted by the Tories since 2021.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive for the State Opening of Parliament
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But the King was able to carry out setting out Starmer’s agenda regardless, telling the House of Lords it will be “based upon the principles of security, fairness and opportunity for all”.
Among the flagship policies was an overhaul to the pension system, which King Charles said will “strengthen pension investment”.
The new Pension Schemes Bill will see 15 million Britons awarded greater returns from their pots if they save in private pension schemes.
The bill aims to raise the amount available for pension savers and it is claimed it will assist the average earner by £11,000 in their retirement savings.
Keir Starmer is the new Prime Minister PALabour has also vowed to hand more control to trade unions, with Starmer pledging to remove “unnecessary restrictions”.
Speaking ahead of today’s announcement, Starmer: “We will level up workers’ rights, so every person has security, respect and dignity at work.”
Outlining the legislative agenda for the year ahead in the House of Lords, King Charles added: “My Government is committed to making work pay and will legislate to introduce a new deal for working people to ban exploitative practices and enhance employment rights.
“It will seek to establish the appropriate legislation to place requirements on those working to develop the most powerful artificial intelligence models.”
