Pomp and Pageantry of Ceremonial Opening of Parliament Still a Draw for Onlookers

The sight of scores of uniformed military personnel, the red carpet and the nation’s leaders dressed in their Sunday best marching to Gordon House from opposite ends of Duke Street in downtown Kingston remain a major pull for onlookers at the ceremonial opening of Parliament on Thursday (February 13).

The ceremony’s perfectly executed intricate details were what pulled one employee at the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) from her office to join her colleagues on the steps of the agency.

She told JIS News that while the ceremony is done each year, it is always a pleasure to watch it unfold.

“For me, and I know a lot of others, even though we are here, and we see it every year, it’s just seeing the pomp and pageantry each year and seeing the politicians passing… it just seems very regal and we like seeing it,” the employee said.

Another JNHT employee agreed, stating that the ceremony is a fascinating experience.

However, she also wanted to see the elaborate dresses of Jamaica’s Government and Opposition members.

“I think it is a fascinating experience for us to see how our country operates or rather the start of how our country operates this year, so that’s why I came out. And to see how the celebrities look, how our Jamaican celebrities look,” she said.

The women were not disappointed as the occasion was chock full of customs which first began in 1962.

These included the mounted troupes riding horses down Duke Street announcing the arrival of Custos of Kingston, Hon. Steadman Fuller, who deputised for Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, and his inspection of the Guard of Honour.

Additionally, the playing of Jamaica’s National Anthem, the royal salutes and the smartly dressed politicians, who greeted their supporters as they marched, added to the air of tradition that wafted over the crowded street.

It was a moment of education for a grandmother who could be seen explaining the different aspects of the ceremony to her two granddaughters.

She said their schools, St. Aloysius Primary and St. Georges Infant, were closed for the ceremony but she expected that their teachers would ask about the children’s experience when the schools reopened.

“I bring out the children because they always want to see when Parliament is opening so they get the opportunity now to see it. I can introduce them to the Prime Minister and the other honourables in the Houses of Parliament because the school will ask them certain questions on it,” said the woman, who opted not to give her name.

The ceremonial opening of Parliament signifies the beginning of the new parliamentary year.

This is done with the reading of the Throne Speech inside the House of Parliament, which summarises the policies and programmes the Government will undertake in the 2025/2026 financial year.

The new fiscal year begins on April 1.