Britain's King Charles has presided over his first state opening of parliament as monarch.
Although he stood in for his late mother Queen Elizabeth last year, today was the first King's speech in over 70 years.
The government set out its plans to tackle crime, boost growth and water down climate change measures, an unashamedly political agenda that could be Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's first and last King's speech before an election.
In an agenda written by the government but delivered by King Charles to MPs packed into parliament's House of Lords, Mr Sunak signalled his intent to draw a dividing line with the Labour Party before the vote expected next year.
There was little new in the speech, more a collection of what Mr Sunak has worked on since becoming prime minister last year.
"My government will, in all respects, seek to make long-term decisions in the interests of future generations," King Charles, wearing the Imperial State Crown and Robe of State, said.
"By taking these long-term decisions, my government will change this country and build a better future."
The largely domestic focus of the policies heread out suggested Britain has already entered campaign season, with Labour, even before the speech was made, saying the Conservatives offered "only gimmicks, division and more of the same".
In the speech, the government signalled it would move ahead with the Sentencing Bill that will bring forward tougher jail sentences for the most serious offenders, and repeated its pledge to boost economic growth and reduce inflation.
But, in a possible sign that calls from some Conservative MPs to offer voters tax cuts will go unheeded, the king said: "My ministers will address inflation and the drivers of low growth over demands for greater spending or borrowing."
Reading some of the government's climate policies - which include delaying a ban on sales of new petrol cars - might have jarred with King Charles, who has campaigned on environmental issues for more than 50 years.
But government officials have repeatedly said ministers were not giving up on the overall targets, just being more "pragmatic" in how they get there.
Mr Sunak confirmed in an introduction to the speech he would bring in legislation to hold North Sea oil and gas licensing rounds annually - something Labour has ruled out - to help "the country to transition to net zero by 2050 without adding undue burdens on households".
His government would phase out tobacco sales to young people in England and, in an attempt to win over younger voters, press ahead with reforms to the housing market, outlawing no-fault evictions for renters.
Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann Senator Jerry Buttimer became the first elected office-holder from the Houses of the Oireachtas to attend the occasion.
"My presence at Westminster today as the first elected office-holder from the Oireachtas to attend the King's speech is another milestone in the important friendship between our two countries and the strong relationship between our parliaments," said Mr Buttimer.
"As we celebrate 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement, my visit today builds on the foundations laid by taoisigh, prime ministers, president [Mary] Robinson, president [Mary] McAleese, President [Michael D] Higgins, the late Queen Elizabeth and King Charles to grow the bonds between Ireland and Britain," he added.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Buttimer explained that John McFall, the speaker of the House of Lords, was invited and addressed Seanad Éireann last year and he in return invited Mr Buttimer to attend the official opening of parliament in London today.
The King's speech marks the official start of the British parliamentary year.
Ceremonies this morning included the ritual searching of the cellars underneath the Houses of Parliament, in case of a repeat of the Guy Fawkes gunpowder plot of 1605.
Additional reporting: Míchéal Lehane
