British Parliament Opens

An Honor Guard awaits the departure of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace, in London, May 17, 2005. The queen was traveling to deliver a speech in a tradition-laden ceremony at the State Opening of Parliament. The Queen's Speech sets out the government's legislative program for the new parliamentary session, however, she is a figurehead with no say in the legislative program.

Yeomen of the Guard line up at the House of Lords prior to a ceremonial search ahead of the State Opening of Parliament, in London, May 17, 2005.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, right, steps out from a horse-drawn carriage at the Palace of Westminster, in London, May 17, 2005, prior the State Opening of Parliament.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, left, walks with Conservative Party leader Michael Howard through the Members' Lobby of the House of Commons during the State Opening of Parliament, in London, May 17, 2005. Blair unveiled plans to tackle terrorism and to introduce Britain's first identity card since World War II, The ID card proposal and other contentious legislation are likely to test Blair's authority, since he was re-elected earlier in the month with a severely reduced majority in Parliament.

Britain's State Imperial Crown is handed over in the Royal Gallery in the Palace of Westminster, before being worn by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II during the State Opening of Parliament, in London, May 17, 2005.

The queen's crown arrives at The House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament, May 17, 2005.

The House of Lords is seen during the State Opening of Parliament, in London, May 17, 2005.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, right, waits to deliver her speech to the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster during the State Opening of Parliament, in London, May 17, 2005.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II makes a speech in the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament, in London, Tuesday May 17, 2005. Reading from a speech written by ministers, the queen said the government would "build on its program of reform and accelerate modernization of the public services."

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher sits in the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament, in London, May 17, 2005.

American Charge d' Affairs to the Court of St. James, David T. Johnson, center, sits in the Royal Gallery in the Palace of Westminster as he listens to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II deliver her speech during the State Opening of Parliament, in London, May 17, 2005.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II leaves the Palace of Westminster after giving her Queen's Speech during the State Opening of Parliament, in London, May 17, 2005.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip leave The House of Lords after the State Opening of Parliament, in London, May 17, 2005.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II rides in the Irish State Coach as she returns to Buckingham Palace, following the State Opening of Parliament, in London, May 17, 2005.