State opening fixed for December

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The Queen will open the next session of Parliament on 3 December, the first time the State Opening has been held that late in the year since 2000.

The colourful ceremony is a traditional part of the Westminster calendar.

The monarch outlines the laws which the government intends to put before MPs and peers, in a speech prepared by the ruling party of the day.

The current Parliamentary session ends on 22 July, with a summer break until business resumes on 6 October.