by Parliament has been formally dissolved by a monarch for the first time in more than 70 years, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II – the UK's longest-serving monarch.
The announcement was read on behalf of her son and current monarch, Charles, who ascended the throne in September 2022, in a traditional ceremony in the House of Lords marking the end of the parliamentary session attended by both MPs and her peers.
The last time Parliament was abolished by a king was by the late Queen's father in 1951.
The elected members, led by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, left the Commons after being asked to be in the upper chamber by Black Rod Sarah Clarke, a senior Lords officer tasked with overseeing proceedings.
The royal speech, read by Leader of the Lords Lord True, contained legislation passed during the parliamentary session and other measures taken by the government.
These included the controversial Illegal Immigration Act, which legislated for those arriving on small boats to be deported to their country of origin or to Rwanda, after ministers struck a £140m deal with the east African country.
But the Kigali plan is tied up in the courts, with an deportation flight yet to take off.
Other controversial bills to make it onto the statute books included the Public Order Bill, aimed at combating protests and riot tactics used by groups such as Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion.
The Strikes (Minimum Levels of Service) Act will allow ministers to impose minimum levels of service during industrial action by ambulance, fire, rail and other sectors deemed necessary.
Other pieces of legislation were also given royal assent, including the long-awaited Internet Safety Act, which imposes new legal duties on big tech companies and service providers in response to concerns about the impact of harmful material on children.
As each Act was read, the clerk would say in Norman French “Le Roy le veult,” or “The King wills it,” to signify royal approval.
Under the previous monarch, the proclamation was “La Reyne le veult” or “The Queen wants it”.
Delivering the adjournment speech to Parliament on behalf of the King, Lord True said: “My thoughts go first to my dear mother, the late Queen.
“I want to thank you for the sympathy and support extended to my family and me by both houses of Parliament, the nation and beyond.
“My mother exemplified selfless dedication and commitment to the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth during her long reign.
“An example of which I rededicated my life to public service upon joining just over a year ago.
“I remain deeply grateful for the expressions of faith offered at the time.”
Both Houses of Parliament will return on Tuesday 7 November.
On this day, the King's speech will take place announcing the government's legislative program for the new Parliament session.
