King Charles delivers throne speech at Senate, opening Parliament
Now that the King is in the Senate, eyes will turn to the Usher of the Black Rod.
The Usher is the King's messenger in Parliament and is also responsible for Senate security and other ceremonial and administrative duties. The job originated in England in 1348.
Former RCMP superintendent Greg Peters has served in the role in Canada since 2013. The job title derives from the ebony rod he carries, which is a symbol of royal authority.
Peters will be sent to the House of Commons to summon the MPs. But when he arrives at the House he will find the doors shut — again due to the idea of parliamentary independence and the King being barred from the House.
The Usher will use the base of the rod to knock three times on the doors and ask permission to enter. He will then tell the MPs that the King requests their presence in the Senate for the throne speech. Most MPs will then follow Peters out and begin to make the trek to the Senate building.
Traditionally, it's a short jaunt down the halls of Centre Block. But due to ongoing renovations the upper chamber has a temporary home at the Senate of Canada building — Ottawa's former train station, which is just down Wellington Street from the Parliament buildings.
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