King Charles once revealed that Britain still follows an unusual centuries-old custom during the State Opening of Parliament, saying: “We still follow an age-old tradition and take a member of Parliament ‘hostage’.”
That tradition was once again carried out as the monarch attended the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster.
A British MP was held at Buckingham Palace to symbolically guarantee the King’s safe return while he delivered the King’s Speech, continuing a practice linked to the turbulent reign of King Charles I.
This year, the role fell to Nic Dakin, MP for Scunthorpe and the surrounding area. Before heading to the palace, Dakin joked about the experience in a post shared on X, formerly Twitter.
He wrote: “Off to Buckingham Palace to be the ‘hostage’ ensuring HM The King’s safe return when he opens Parliament - a tradition dating back to Charles I. Not sure I’m looking forward to it, but glad to play my part!”
During the grand ceremony on Wednesday, King Charles presented Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s legislative agenda for the coming parliamentary year.
Although it is known as the King’s Speech, the address is written by the government and outlines the laws and policies ministers plan to introduce over the next 12 months.
Following the speech and the monarch’s safe return, Dakin was seemingly “released” from the palace, marking the end of the symbolic tradition.
Buckingham Palace later shared photographs of King Charles and Queen Camilla attending the historic occasion.
Off to Buckingham Palace to be the “hostage” ensuring HM The King’s safe return when he opens Parliament - a tradition dating back to Charles I. Not sure I’m looking forward to it, but glad to play my part! pic.twitter.com/20eee1aqIN
— Nic Dakin MP (@NicDakin55) May 13, 2026
The palace said: “The King and Queen have attended the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster.
“The ceremonial event formally marks the beginning of each parliamentary year. It is the only regular occasion when the three constituent parts of Parliament - the Sovereign, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons - meet.”
This marked the third time King Charles has officially opened Parliament since becoming Sovereign.
