Palace of Westminster

The Palace of Westminster, commonly referred to as the Houses of Parliament, is the historic seat of the United Kingdom's legislature. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an iconic landmark on the River Thames in London. The Palace is comprised of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, the two chambers of the UK Parliament. It is the venue for significant state occasions, most notably the State Opening of Parliament. This annual event features the King's Speech, which outlines the government's legislative agenda for the coming year. The State Opening is the only regular occasion where the sovereign, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons convene together. Recently, the State Opening of Parliament and the King's Speech have been overshadowed by political developments, including reports of potential resignations within the government, highlighting the current political climate surrounding the Palace of Westminster's functions.