Black Rod summons MPs as Commons doors slam at State Opening
At the State Opening of Parliament, black rod is sent from the House of Lords to summon MPs, only to meet the House of Commons doors slammed shut in his face. The ritual ends with a formal summons to hear the King’s Speech and a reminder that the Commons controls its own chamber.
Edward III and William Whitehorse
The office of the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod dates back to around 1348, during the reign of Edward III. William Whitehorse was named in official Letters Patent in 1361 as the first recorded holder of the role.
Black Rod remains the Sovereign’s representative in the House of Lords and is responsible for discipline, security and ceremonial duties within the upper chamber. The role also carries duties tied to the Order of the Garter, including the annual Garter Day procession at Windsor Castle.
The Commons doors and the rod
During the opening ceremony, Black Rod wears black ceremonial robes and carries an ebony staff topped with a golden lion. The formal uniform also includes a black tunic, knee breeches, silk stockings, buckled shoes, a lace jabot and a sword.
After walking to the centre of the Commons chamber, Black Rod bows three times and strikes the doors three times with the ebony rod before being admitted. The rod itself bears the royal cypher of Edward VII beneath a crown.
1971 and the merged office
The office of Black Rod and the Lords Serjeant at Arms were formally merged in 1971. That left one official carrying both the ceremonial role and the upper chamber duties attached to the post.
The annual scene keeps the same sequence year after year: a royal messenger from the Lords, the slammed Commons doors, and then the formal summons to attend the Sovereign in the House of Lords. For anyone watching the opening, the order of events is the point.
