A
speech from the throne (or
throne speech) is an event in certain
monarchies in which the reigning sovereign, or a representative thereof, reads a prepared speech to the members of
parliament when a session is opened, outlining the government's agenda for the session. The speech is prepared by the
ministers of the crown in
cabinet. The event is often held annually, although in some places it may occur more or less frequently, whenever a new session of parliament is opened. Many
republics have adopted a similar practice in which the
head of state, often a
president, addresses the legislature; for example, in the United States, the president makes an annual
State of the Union address.