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48-629: Protocol II is a 1977 amendment protocol to the Geneva Conventions relating to the protection of victims of non-international armed conflicts. It defines certain international laws that strive to provide better protection for victims of internal armed conflicts that take place within the borders of a single country. The scope of these laws is more limited than those of the rest of the Geneva Conventions out of respect for sovereign rights and duties of national governments. As of July 2024,

96-416: A "speech from the throne". The monarch gives a speech but it does not focus on or direct government policy. In Sweden, the practice of having a speech from the throne given by the monarch was held until 1974, coinciding with the rewrite of the constitution of Sweden which removed formal involvement of the monarch in the legislative process. The old opening of the legislature was called "The Solemn Opening of

144-538: A Canadian province. In Quebec , however, the speech is referred to as the "Opening Address" ( French : Allocution d'ouverture ). In each of the Canadian territories, the commissioner reads the Throne Speech or Opening Address to the legislature. In British overseas territories that have instituted this practice, the relevant governor delivers the speech. A throne speech is not typical in the devolved legislatures within

192-494: A much wider range of international relations. The rules of protocol to create space where meetings can take place. As paradoxical as it may sound, the framework of protocol actually does not limit space, it creates it. By ensuring a smooth organisation, participants in an event and especially those acting as host, can focus on the content of the event without having to worry about the unexpected. The other side of protocol: its symbolic value. The events and rituals, for example, of

240-530: A result, the speech no longer marks the opening of a session of parliament but the start of a new parliamentary year. In Norway, the monarch is required by article 74 of the constitution to preside over the opening of a session of the Storting (which happens every October) after it has been declared to be legally constituted by the president of the Storting. The monarch delivers the speech before parliamentarians in

288-689: A throne speech, such as when, in 2011, Brigette DePape , a page in the Canadian Senate , interrupted Governor General David Johnston 's reading of the Speech From the Throne by standing and holding a sign calling for the then Prime Minister, Stephen Harper , to be stopped. Formally, the motion that follows the speech merely calls on parliament to thank the monarch or viceroy via an Address in Reply. The debate is, however, often wide-ranging, exploring many aspects of

336-501: Is also known as the King's Speech (or Queen's Speech if the reigning monarch is female); the Netherlands , on Prince's Day ; and Norway . In other countries the monarch may or may not attend the opening of the country's legislature; they may also give a speech, but these speeches, in contrast, do not outline any government agenda. Many republics have adopted a similar practice in which

384-525: Is commonly described as a set of international courtesy rules. These well-established and time-honored rules have made it easier for nations and people to live and work together. Part of protocol has always been the acknowledgment of the hierarchical standing of all present. Protocol rules are based on the principles of civility.—Dr. P.M. Forni on behalf of the International Association of Protocol Consultants and Officers. There are two meanings of

432-569: Is derived, via French and Medieval Latin , from the Greek word πρωτόκολλον protokollon "first glued sheet of or onto a papyrus-roll". This comes from the act of gluing a sheet of paper to the front of a document to preserve it when it was sealed, which imparted additional authenticity to it. In the beginning, the term protocol related to the various forms of interaction observed in official correspondence between states, which were often elaborate in nature. In course of time, however, it has come to cover

480-409: Is often held annually, although in some places it may occur more or less frequently, whenever a new session of the legislature is opened. Historically, when monarchs exercised personal influence and overall decision-making in government, a speech from the throne would outline the policies and objectives of the monarch; the speech was usually prepared by the monarch's advisers, but the monarch supervised

528-527: Is still the monarch who officially opens the annual session but he no longer gives a "speech from the throne"; the monarch is invited by the Speaker and delivers an introductory speech and then declares the session open. After the speech, the Prime Minister delivers a statement of the upcoming government agenda ( Swedish : Regeringsförklaring ) for the forthcoming legislative year is made. In Thailand ,

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576-576: The Australian states , the relevant governor reads the speech, though the Australian monarch may also perform the task: Queen Elizabeth II opened the parliaments of some of the Australian states in 1954 and of New South Wales in 1992. In almost all the Canadian provinces , the relevant lieutenant governor delivers the speech; it is uncertain whether the Canadian monarch can do the same in any legislature of

624-581: The Geneva Conventions were updated in 1949 after the Second World War, delegates sought to define certain minimum humanitarian standards to situations that had all the characteristics of war, without being an international war. These negotiations resulted in Article 3, common to all four of the basic treaties of the Geneva Conventions of 1949. Common Article 3 applies to armed conflicts that are not of an international character, but that are contained within

672-606: The Parliament of Canada in 1957 and 1977. Another member of the royal family may also perform this duty, such as when, on 1 September 1919, the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII ) read the Speech From the Throne in the Canadian parliament. On two occasions, the administrator of the Government delivered the address to the Parliament of Canada: 16 May 1963 and 30 September 1974. In

720-432: The Parliament of Malaysia in joint session during its state opening yearly every March. In accordance with the constitution , the king addresses parliament at the beginning of its yearly session on the second Friday of October. The speech may only be made legally binding if it is read before both houses of parliament. Additionally, the monarch addresses the nation on the anniversaries of his accession ( Throne Day ),

768-708: The Revolution of the King and the People and the Green March . In the Netherlands, the speech from the throne is held annually on the third Tuesday in September, which is called Prinsjesdag (Prince's Day). Article 65 of the constitution states that "A statement of the policy to be pursued by the Government is given by or on behalf of the King before a joint session of the two Houses of

816-695: The Riksdag " ( Swedish : Riksdagens högtidliga öppnande ) and was full of symbolism. The speech was given before the Riksdag in the Hall of State at the Royal Palace . The King would be seated on the Silver Throne as he gave his speech. Prior to 1907, the monarch and the princes of the royal blood would also wear their royal and princely robes and their crowns and coronets . After Oscar II 's death, his successor, Gustav V

864-502: The Senate , it is Bill S-1 , an Act Relating to Railways. The texts of these two bills have nothing to do with either oaths of office or railways ; instead, they contain near-identical wordings that explain their pro forma function. In Australia and New Zealand, by contrast, no pro forma bills are introduced; there, the respective houses of representatives instead consider some brief and non-controversial business items before debating

912-480: The bishop of Winchester in 1410; in 1453 and 1467, the bishop of Lincoln ; the bishop of Rochester in 1472; and the keeper of the Privy Seal in 1431. It may have been written by or with the input of the king's or queen's advisers, but, the monarch, as supreme governor, was the principal author. Today, within the tenets of constitutional monarchy , the speech is written by the sitting cabinet , with or without

960-415: The chamber of the Storting . The heir to the throne also regularly accompanies the monarch. Upon the monarch's arrival in the chamber, the members of the Storting stand and the first verse of the royal anthem, Kongesangen , is sung. The monarch is handed the speech by the prime minister and proceeds to deliver the speech while all remain standing. Afterwards, the monarch and members take their seats and

1008-663: The head of state , often a president , addresses the legislature; in the United States, the president makes an annual State of the Union address, in the Philippines the president makes an annual State of the Nation Address . In parliamentary republics where the president is merely a ceremonial figurehead, these speeches are often similar in tone to the throne speech of a constitutional monarchy, whereas in presidential systems such as

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1056-588: The monarch makes a speech at a joint session in the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall , advising the National Assembly in their work. Many republics also hold a yearly event in which the president gives a speech to a joint session of the legislature, such as the State of the Union address given by the president of the United States and in most U.S. states, where the governor gives a similar State of

1104-599: The Address in Reply. In Japan, the emperor makes only a short speech of greeting during the National Diet opening ceremony; he does not refer to any government policies, instead allowing the Prime Minister to address political matters, as in the contemporary cases in Sweden and Denmark. Malaysia also has the same practice, with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong making such an address to

1152-768: The Crown; a practice that originated after King Charles I was tried and executed by parliament. In the British House of Commons , the other business raised is by tradition the Outlawries Bill , while the House of Lords reads the Select Vestries Bill ; neither proceeds past the first reading . In the House of Commons of Canada , the bill considered is Bill C-1 , an Act Respecting the Administration of Oaths of Office, while in

1200-406: The King!’ after which the monarch is greeted with three cheers. The monarch and his retinue leave and the joint session is declared to be closed. The monarch returns to the palace in the coach and, along with other members of the royal house, appears on the palace balcony. Following the 1983 revision of the constitution, a parliamentary session changed from lasting a year to lasting for four years. As

1248-600: The Protocol had been ratified by 169 countries, with the United States , India , Pakistan , Turkey , Iran , Iraq , Syria , and Israel being notable exceptions. However, the United States, Iran, and Pakistan signed it on 12 December 1977, which signifies an intention to work towards ratifying it. The Iranian signature was given prior to the 1979 Iranian Revolution . Historically, international law of armed conflict addressed traditional declarations of war between nations. When

1296-672: The Report on the State of the Realm, an account of the government achievement of the past year, is read (traditionally in Nynorsk ), customarily by the youngest member of the government present. The members and monarch rise and the monarch is presented with the report by the prime minister and the monarch returns the speech and report to the president. The president gives some remarks and closes with "May God preserve our King and country", joined by other members of

1344-633: The States General that is held every year on the third Tuesday in September or on such earlier date as may be prescribed by Act of Parliament." The monarch travels from Noordeinde Palace by coach to the Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights) in the Binnenhof of The Hague to read the speech before a joint session of the States General . Following the speech, the president of the joint session calls out 'Long live

1392-560: The Storting and the first verse of the national anthem is then sung. After the monarch and his retinue have left, the meeting is adjourned and the speech and report are first debated at the subsequent sitting. In Spain, speeches from the throne used to be practiced before the declaration of the Second Spanish Republic in 1931. With the restoration of the Spanish monarchy in 1975, the monarch still opens parliament but no longer gives

1440-557: The U.S. the speeches are somewhat different in that the president exercises personal discretion over the content but the principle of separation of powers means the legislature is not obligated to follow whatever agenda (if any) may be contained in such a speech. In the United Kingdom, the speech is known as His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech , the Gracious Address , or, less formally, the King's Speech (or Queen's Speech , when

1488-454: The UK the same person as their respective sovereign, the speech from the throne will usually be read on the monarch's behalf by his or her viceroy , the governor-general , although the monarch may deliver the address in person: Queen Elizabeth II read the Throne Speech in the Parliament of New Zealand in 1954, 1963, 1970, 1974, 1977, 1986, and 1990, the Parliament of Australia in 1954 and 1974, and

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1536-541: The United Kingdom; the nearest equivalent is a statement of the legislative agenda of the executive branch, usually given by a first minister. However, the British monarch often undertakes visits and speaks to the devolved bodies in a less official capacity. During her reign Queen Elizabeth II was present and gave an address at all openings of the Scottish parliament , usually speaking reflectively upon its accomplishments and wishing

1584-516: The boundaries of a single country. It provides limited protection to victims, including: By the 1970s, diplomats were attempting to negotiate clarifications to the brief language of Article 3, and to extend the scope of international law to cover additional humanitarian rights in the context of internal conflicts. These efforts resulted in Protocol II of the Geneva Conventions. The debate over this protocol centered on two conflicting ideas. First, that

1632-555: The ceremony has taken place since the Middle Ages , while others place its origins in the 16th century, when England was still an absolute monarchy . The speech explained to parliament the reasons it was summoned and sometimes set out the sovereign's policies and objectives. The monarch would sometimes speak to parliament in person; Edward III (in 1365), Richard II , and Edward IV did so to both houses of parliament on multiple separate occasions. However, various other figures gave

1680-501: The distinction between internal and international armed conflict is artificial from the point of view of a victim. Humanitarian principles should apply regardless of the identity of the combatants. Second, that international law does not apply to non-international situations. A nation has sovereignty within its borders, and must not accept judgments by and orders from other countries. And Article 6, section 2, also prohibits collective punishment . Protocol (diplomacy) Protocol

1728-406: The drafting of the speech at least to some extent and exercised final discretion as to its content. In modern constitutional monarchies , whether by law or by convention, the head of state or their representative reads the speech from the throne, but it is prepared by the ministers in cabinet . Of contemporary European monarchies today, this traditional event is held in the United Kingdom, where it

1776-456: The formal start of the parliamentary year and the monarch’s speech in the United Kingdom are meant to symbolise the democratic values of the country. This is the case at every ceremony that more or less follows the same pattern, like the exchange of rings and vows at weddings or the receiving of a diploma at a graduation ceremony. Symbols add meaning to the community’s values but also credibility, strength and often also beauty. Speech from

1824-418: The government's proposed policies, and spread over several days. When the Address in Reply is eventually voted on, the poll is held to constitute a motion of confidence in the government, which, if lost, would result in the end of that government's mandate. In some legislatures, this discussion and vote is preceded by a symbolic raising of other matters, designed to highlight the independence of parliament from

1872-637: The governor's address was termed the Policy Address during Chris Patten 's governorship. In the Irish Free State , the governor-general delivered the Governor-General's Address to Dáil Éireann ; only two were ever given, in 1922 and 1923. In the Commonwealth realms , the speech from the throne is an oration that forms part of a ceremony marking the opening of parliament . Some records indicate

1920-637: The institution well for its coming term rather than considering the plans of the executive. It is considered improper for the audience, including members of parliament, to show support or disapproval for any content of the speech while it is being read: that is reserved to the debate and vote that follows in legislative chambers or chamber. In 1998 in the UK, when the Queen read out the proposed House of Lords Act 1999 , Labour Party MPs briefly interrupted it by vocalising support while Conservative peers responded with "shame!". Protest, though, has been expressed during

1968-569: The one legislative chamber. Unusually, in the Irish Free State, the speech was delivered in the lower house of its bicameral parliament. In the United Kingdom, the speech is typically read by the reigning sovereign at the State Opening of Parliament . Traditions surrounding the opening and the speech go back to the 16th century; the present ceremony dates from 1852, when the Palace of Westminster

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2016-528: The oration on the sovereign's behalf: between 1347 and 1363, it was read by the chief justice; in 1401 by the chief justice of the Common Pleas ; in 1344, 1368, 1377 (speaking for a presiding Edward III ), 1399, and 1422, by the archbishop of Canterbury ; and in 1343, 1363, and, usually after 1368, by the lord chancellor who was then the prolocutor , or chairman of the House of Lords. It was given on his behalf by

2064-405: The reader's participation, and outlines the legislative programme for the new parliamentary session. Due to the parliamentary tradition of the sovereign being barred from the lower chamber, in those realms possessing a bicameral parliament , the ceremony takes place in the legislature's upper chamber , with members of both houses in attendance. In unicameral parliaments, the speech is read in

2112-631: The reigning monarch is female). In Canada, it is known as the Speech from the Throne (often shortened to Throne Speech ) (in French: Discours du Trône ). Since 1973, the lieutenant governor of Quebec has delivered a short inaugural address termed the Allocution , after which the premier reads his or her Discours d'ouverture (Opening Speech), called the Message inaugural from 1974 to 1984. In Hong Kong ,

2160-440: The throne A speech from the throne , or throne speech , is an event in certain monarchies in which the reigning sovereign, or their representative, reads a prepared speech to members of the nation's legislature when a session is opened. The address sets forth the government's priorities for its legislative agenda, for which the cooperation of the legislature is sought. The speech is often accompanied by formal ceremony. It

2208-452: The word "protocol" in the context of international relations. In the legal sense, it is defined as an international agreement that supplements or amends a treaty. In the diplomatic sense, the term refers to the set of rules, procedures, conventions and ceremonies that relate to relations between states. In general, protocol represents the recognized and generally accepted system of international courtesy (comitas gentium). The term protocol

2256-428: Was not crowned, and thus did not wear the crown when opening the Riksdag. Instead, the crown and sceptre would be placed on cushions beside the throne and the robe would be draped on the throne. After the abolition of the opening ceremony at the palace, last held in 1974 and only once during the reign of Carl XVI Gustaf , the opening is now held at the Riksdag chamber in the presence of the monarch and his family. It

2304-586: Was rebuilt after the 1834 fire. The ceremony now usually occurs annually, usually in November or December, or soon after a general election. The monarch may, however, appoint a delegate to perform the task in his or her place. Elizabeth II did this during her pregnancies in 1959 and 1963, delivered instead by Lord Chancellor; and again due to ill health in 2022, delivered instead by Prince Charles (now Charles III ) who, along with Prince William , were acting as Counsellors of State . In those countries that share with

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