Black Rod

The Gentleman or Lady Usher of the Black Rod, often shortened to Black Rod, is a senior parliamentary officer in the House of Lords responsible for ceremonial protocol, maintaining order, and controlling access to the chamber and its precincts. Black Rod is also an officer of the Order of the Garter and serves as secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain and as Serjeant-at-Arms of the House. Black Rod is best known for the ceremony at the State Opening of Parliament, in which Black Rod summons members of the House of Commons to attend the monarch's speech in the House of Lords. As part of the ceremony, the doors of the Commons chamber are closed before Black Rod, who then strikes the door three times with the staff of office before the Commons admits Black Rod. Equivalent offices exist in several other Westminster-style legislatures, including in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the Cook Islands.