Tougher sentences for the country’s most serious offenders and a crackdown on grooming have taken centre stage in the first King’s Speech in decades.
The King struck a personal note when he began his speech – the first by a king in over 70 years – by acknowledging the “legacy of service and devotion to this country” shown by his “beloved mother, the late Queen”.
Reading out Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s agenda for the upcoming year, the King said the Sentencing Bill would be brought forward to “increase the confidence of victims”.
Further measures would also be introduced to give police more powers to “prevent new and complex crimes” and child sexual abuse, he added.
Image: The King and Queen on their way to parliament
Image: The chamber of the House of Lords fills up ahead of the King’s Speech
Despite the emphasis on crime, there was no mention of the recent pro-Palestinian protests that have been taking place across the UK, and which Ms Braverman has described as “hate marches”.
Ahead of the speech, anti-monarchy protesters gathered outside parliament with placards which read: “Not my king!”.
At 1,223 words, the King’s Speech was the longest by a monarch at a State Opening of Parliament since 2005.
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It began when the King noted that the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine had created “significant long-term challenges for the United Kingdom”.
He said Mr Sunak’s administration was focused on “increasing economic growth and safeguarding the health and security of the British people for generations to come”.
The King repeated the prime minister’s key pledge to bring down inflation, which currently stands at 6.7%, and said the government would support the Bank of England “in that goal” by taking “responsible decisions on spending and borrowing”.
Previously announced ambitions to create a “smoke-free generation”were raised, as the monarch said the government would restrict the sale of tobacco so that children currently aged 14 or younger can never be sold cigarettes.
The King – a lifelong environmental campaigner – also confirmed Mr Sunak’s plans to grant new oil and gas licences “helping the country to transition to net zero by 2050 without adding undue burdens on households” in the Offshore Petroleum and Licensing Bill.
Elsewhere, he reaffirmed the prime minister’s plans to introduce an Advanced British Standard, a “new Baccalaureate-style qualification” for 16 to 19 year-olds that will combine and replace A-Levels and T-Levels while also carrying out a crackdown on “poor quality” university degrees in favour of more young people taking high quality apprenticeships.
Turning to housing, the government will bring forward the Leasehold and Freehold Bill to make it easier and cheaper for leaseholders to purchase their freehold and, it is hoped, tackle the issue of punitive service charges.
The long-awaited Renters Reform Bill, under which no-fault evictions are set to be banned, is designed to increase security for renters – but it has come under criticism after Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said he would not enact the policy until courts have been reformed.
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‘Not My King!’ protest
Concluding the speech, the King said: “My government will, in all respects, seek to make long-term decisions in the interests of future generations.
“My ministers will address inflation and the drivers of low growth over demands for greater spending or borrowing.
“My ministers will put the security of communities and the nation ahead of the rights of those who endanger it.
“By taking these long-term decisions, my government will change this country and build a better future.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the Ukrainian people “are truly thankful” for US support, hours after talks with Donald Trump descended into a row at the White House.
In a lengthy social media post, Mr Zelenskyy said: “I always begin with words of gratitude from our nation to the American nation”.
The Ukrainian president insisted the US-Ukraine relationship “is more than just two leaders” but it was “crucial” for his country to have Mr Trump’s support.
He added: “American people helped save our people. Humans and human rights come first. We’re truly thankful. We want only strong relations with America, and I really hope we will have them.”
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Mr Zelenskyy will meet Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street on Saturday afternoon after his plane landed at Stansted Airport.
It comes ahead of a major summit hosted by the UK prime minister on Sunday, where more than a dozen European and EU leaders including Mr Zelenskyy will meet to discuss the Ukraine war and security.
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Zelenskyy’s plane lands in UK
The Ukrainian president had travelled to Washington DC to attempt to secure a ceasefire agreement after three years of war with Russia and a possible mineral deal with the US.
The meeting descended into a shouting match in front of cameras and journalists.
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Watch Trump and Zelenskyy clash
Mr Vance told Mr Zelenskyy: “I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.
“You should be thanking the President [Trump] for trying to bring an end to this conflict.”
Image: Mr Zelenskyy and Mr Trump clash. Pics: Reuters
‘You’re gambling with World War Three’
The Ukrainian president tried to object but Mr Trump spoke over him and told him: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.
“You’re gambling with World War Three, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have.”
Mr Zelenskyy defended himself and his country, openly challenging Mr Trump on his softer approach to Vladimir Putin and urging him to make “no compromises with a killer”.
Tonight’s BRIT Awards are shaping up to be a big night for female British artists, including Charli XCX and Dua Lipa.
The ceremony, which is taking place at London’s O2 Arena, will see artists who are currently dominating the charts come together to celebrate the best in popular music.
Leading nominations with five nods is Charli XCX, whose sixth album Brat was a viral hit last year.
Dua Lipa closely follows with four nominations – along with 2024 rising star winners The Last Dinner Party, and 2023 Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective.
It will be his first time at the helm in four years, but fifth in total, after taking on the role for four consecutive years from 2018 to 2021.
Image: Host Jack Whitehall. Pic: John Marshall/JMEnternational
There are 16 categories for awards this year, including the big one – album of the year.
In the running for this is Charli XCX – BRAT, The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World, Dua Lipa – Radical Optimism, Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching and The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy.
Other awards up for grabs include: Artist of the year, group of the year, best new artist, song of the year, international artist of the year, international group of the year, international song of the year, alternative rock act, hip-hop/grime/rap act, dance act, pop act and R&B act.
Last year’s ceremony saw singer-songwriter Raye dominating, with a record number of six wins including a clean sweep of the big three; best artist, best song and best album.
This year, the trophy that winners will pick up on the night has been designed by artist Gabriel Moses.
Image: This year’s Brit Award trophy designed by Gabriel Moses. Pic: Brit Awards
Who is nominated?
Before the awards have even begun, Charli XCX has been announced as the winner of this year’s songwriter of the year award.
Also recognised is her longtime collaborator AG Cook, winning BRITs producer of the year, reflecting the combined impact he and Charli XCX have had on music over the last 12 months.
The singer – whose real name is Charlotte Aitchison – could still pick up another five awards tonight including: pop act, dance act, song of the year, artist of the year and album of the year.
Behind Charli XCX, this year also sees The Beatles pick up a nomination for the song Now And Then.
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1:01
The Brits go brat: 2025 nominations revealed
The Cure are also back with three nominations – following the release of their 14th album, Songs Of A Lost World, in 2024.
International artists such as Beyonce, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Benson Boone, Chappell Roan and Kendrick Lamar have also all got nods, as well as homegrown talent such as Central Cee, Fred again.., Sam Fender and former Little Mix star JADE.
Image: Dua Lipa is nominated for four awards. Pic: Oscar Douglas
Sabrina Carpenter will become the first international artist to receive the global success award after breaking records in the UK charts.
The pop star held the top spot on the Official UK Charts for a combined 21 weeks in 2024, the first artist to do so in 71 years.
Image: Sabrina Carpenter at the Grammys. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
Her mega-hits Taste, Please Please Please and Espresso held the top three spots simultaneously, making her the first female artist to do so.
Already named as this year’s rising star is British singer-songwriter Myles Smith, whose single Stargazing became one of the UK’s biggest hits of 2024.
You can read the full list of nominations ahead of tonight, right here.
Image: The Cure. Pic: Andy Vella
Who is performing?
Taking to the stage at this year’s ceremony is a mix of UK and US artists including Sam Fender, JADE, Teddy Swims and Myles Smith.
Off the back of winning the award for global success, Sabrina Carpenter, will also treat audiences to a performance.
It comes after Carpenter’s slapstick comedy mashup performance at the Grammy’s was dubbed “iconic” by fans.
Image: The Last Dinner Party will take to the stage to perform. Pic: Brit Awards
It is the first year American artists Shaboozey, known for A Bar Song (Tipsy) and Teddy Swims, known for Lose Control, will also perform at the awards.
“I’m beyond grateful and humbled to not only be nominated for a BRIT Award but to take the stage,” Shaboozey said.
“This past year has been huge for me with my records getting love from all over the world and now I can celebrate with my friends and fans in London.”
Image: Myles Smith is this year’s Brit Awards rising star winner. Pic: JM Enternational
Meanwhile, JADE, whose real name is Jade Thirlwall, said she “manifested” performing at the BRITs every day since the release of her debut solo single Angel Of My Dreams last year.
The singer already has three BRIT Awards to her name, winning best British single for Shout Out To My Ex, video of the year for Woman Like Me and best British group with Little Mix, but is nominated this year as a solo artist in the song of the year and pop act categories.
Image: Former Little Mix star JADE. Pic: Flore Barbay
Also performing on the night are Lola Young – who is nominated for best pop act – and The Last Dinner Party, who won the BRITs rising star award last year.
How to watch
Live coverage of the BRITs will start on ITV and ITVX from 8.15pm tonight.
You can also follow along with all the latest from the red carpet and ceremony on Sky News and our dedicated live blog.
For those outside the UK, the show is available to watch internationally on the BRITs YouTube channel.