Queen Elizabeth II opened the British Parliament in an ornate ceremony last week,but most Americans only got to see it tonight,when C-Span broadcast the old ritual.It's a moment for the bickering to stop,for Members of Parliament to pause and reflect-indeed,for the whole nation to do so.That is much of the meaning of the monarchy today.As the pageantry plays out,memories are made and recalled,and the pace of modern life is radically slowed by tradition for a brief few hours.The Lord High Chancellor and the Duke of Norfolk,the Earl Marshal of England,are among the participants in the stylized tribute to constitutional government.
One of the MPs made a wisecrack when an official summoned them to the House of Lords to hear the Queen's speech,but no one took great offence.It was perhaps a way to assert the supremacy of the House of Commons in reality.The ceremony went on despite a bit of laughter.
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