Queen's Black Rod has door slammed in his face by MPs

Black Rod is a senior officer in the British House of Lords. Despite being responsible for security, access and order within the House and its precincts, Black Rod is most famous for his role at the State Opening of Parliament. This year's Opening took place on the 4th June 2014 and saw Black Rod perform his usual duty of being sent from the House of Lords to the House of Commons to summon MPs to hear the Queen's Speech (not being a "commoner", the Queen is not allowed to enter the House of Commons herself).

As is tradition, the door is slammed in Black Rod's face at first to symbolise the Commons' independence. After being summoned, all MPs then follow Black Rod to the House of Lords, talking loudly as they go. Look out for the Prime Minister David Cameron and opposition leader Ed Miliband making small talk.

[silasrodriguesgoncalvesjun]

For the British, even slamming a door becomes a formal ceremony

[charlotteice]

The only country where it is tradition for a person with a certain job to get a door slammed in their face.

[jcire]

The doors are meant to be slammed in his face. It is part of the tradition. It's meant to symbolise the Commons' independence from the Ruling King or Queen.

[miguelgomes]

Not exactly what I pictured as the “Queen’s black rod”

[richardnixon]

They probably thought he was a member of Jehovah's Witnesses

[zhdfyb]

I love how it's all formal then you hear "ello Eric, you okay?"

[abirnigam]

Some guy with a black rod a few hundred years back gets door slammed on his face...
"Olright mate, it's a fooking tradition now"

[Redwood]

“We are on a quest for the holy grail. “
“We’ve already got one”

[corey]

So its literally tradition to slam the door in this guys face.
Can imagine how fun it would be if they slammed it a bit too late when hes in front of it.

[royalchannel]

As is the usual tradition, Black Rod - a senior officer in the British House of Lords - has the door slammed in his face after going to the House of Commons to summon MPs to hear the Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament.

[ricardokowalski]

Over 500 years have passed...and not a single joker has ever shouted from the inside: "who's there?" 😁

[drinny]

I always think about what this process looked like hundreds of years ago. The history is so fascinating to me.

[thegardenofeatin]

The British do like a formal ceremony, don't they?

[paperclips]

The MPs are like children being led to assembly by the teacher.

[FrankDaBank]

Ah yes. The royal slamming of the door. Very elegant.

[overomanlord]

imagine if after knocking, one behind the door yells: "password!"

[ukpropaganda]

Has anyone noticed how Black Rod ( all of them, not just this one ) checks the orientation of the head of the rod before entering the door?

[marka]

"Good afternoon. I'm the Black Rod appearing on behalf of her Majesty."
"I think you're an encyclopedia salesman..."
"Not at all! I'd just like to enter the chamber and order you about."
"Well... as long as you're not going to try and sell me encyclopedias."

[trevorm]

If a member of the Royal family does manage to sneak into the Commons, any MP that sees them must point them out and shout "I SPY STRANGERS!" AND They have to be escorted out.

[hitrapperandartistdababy]

Very interesting ceremony. Would this by chance be related to the infamous storming of house of commons by Charles the 1st?