James O’Driscoll. Britain

James O’Driscoll. Britain

Chapter 5. Attitudes

Glossary

State opening of Parliament (the annual ceremony) – marks the beginning of the parliamentary session. Its main purpose is for the monarch formally to open Parliament and, in the Queen's Speech, deliver an outline of the Government's proposed policies, legislation for the coming session and a review of the last session. State Opening takes place on the first day of a new parliamentary session or shortly after a general election.

Trooping the colour (the military ceremony) – is a ceremony performed by regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies. It has been a tradition of British infantry regiments since the 17th century, although the roots go back much earlier. On battlefields, a regiment's colours, or flags, were used as rallying points. Consequently, regiments would have their Ensigns slowly march with their colours between the soldiers' ranks to enable soldiers to recognise their regiments' colours.

Since 1748 Trooping the Colour has also marked the official birthday of the British sovereign. It is held in London annually on a Saturday in Juneon Horse Guards Parade by St. James's Park, and coincides with the publication of the Birthday Honours List.

The changing of the guard – a formal ceremony in which sentries providing ceremonial guard duties at important institutions are relieved by a new batch of sentries. The ceremonies are often elaborate and precisely choreographed.

Buckingham Palace – in London, is the official residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focus for the British people at times of national rejoicing and crisis. Originally known as Buckingham House, the building which forms the core of today's palace was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1705 on a site which had been in private ownership for at least 150 years. The last major structural additions were made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the East front which contains the well-known balcony on which the Royal Family traditionally congregate to greet crowds outside. However, the palace chapel was destroyed by a German bomb in World War II; the Queen's Gallery was built on the site and opened to the public in 1962 to exhibit works of art from the Royal Collection.

Tea shop –

Scone –

The Sunday Times –

The Asquith taxi –

Too clever by half (expression) –

Public school –

Corner shop –

Notting Hill Carnival –

Double-decker –

Pound –

Ounce –

Inch –

Foot –

Yard –

Pint –

Mile –

Thatched cottage –

The Channel tunnel (Chunnel) –

The Youth Hostels Association –

The National Trust –

Flag day –

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