The lady or gentleman usher of the black rod, commonly known as black rod, is a senior official in the House of Lords, responsible for some administrative duties, security and ceremonial events. The role, which dates back to the 14th century, is one of the most ancient in the British parliament.

Appointed by the monarch, black rod performs three offices: lady or gentleman usher of the black rod, serjeant-at-arms in the House of Lords, and secretary to the lord great chamberlain. The position is best known to the public for its central role in the state opening of parliament.

In February 2018, Sarah Clarke CVO OBE became the first woman to be appointed to the role in its 670-year history. In April 2025, it was announced that she would be succeeded by lieutenant general Ed Davis.

Black rod’s responsibilities

Beyond the well-known ceremonial duties, Black Rod has significant day-to-day administrative and security responsibilities within the House of Lords.

Maintaining order

Black Rod is responsible for controlling access to and maintaining order within the Lords’ chamber and its precincts. This includes having the power to take anyone into custody if they are found guilty of a breach of privilege or serious disorder, though this power is now theoretical. Under standing order 13 of the House of Lords, Black Rod can “take into his custody any person whom the House may order to be detained.” Moreover, in “cases where the police seek access to the precincts in order to arrest a member [peer], Black Rod must be notified. Black Rod will in turn notify the lord speaker.”

Managing major events

The office leads on the organisation of major parliamentary events, such as addresses by visiting heads of state, state funerals, and other significant occasions within the Palace of Westminster.

Administrative functions

As secretary to the lord great chamberlain, Black Rod has responsibility for the parts of the Palace of Westminster that remain royal property, such as the Robing Room and the Royal Gallery.

Black rod’s ceremonial duties and the state opening of parliament

Black Rod’s most famous duty is the role they play in the ceremony of the state opening of parliament. This tradition highlights the constitutional relationship between the monarch, the House of Lords and the elected House of Commons.

The ceremony proceeds as follows:

• After the monarch has taken his seat on the throne in the House of Lords, they command Black Rod to summon the House of Commons.
• Black Rod proceeds to the door of the commons chamber. As they approach, the door is ceremonially slammed in their face. This act symbolises the independence of the elected Commons and its right to debate without interference from the monarch’s representative.
• Black Rod then strikes the door three times with their staff of office (the Black Rod).
• The door is opened, and Black Rod enters the commons chamber and requests the members’ attendance in the House of Lords to hear the king’s speech.
• The speaker of the House of Commons then leads the MPs in a procession, with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition walking side-by-side, to the Lords’ chamber to hear the speech.

Black rod’s staff of office

The name of the office comes from the staff that its holder carries as a symbol of their authority. The current rod dates from 1883 and is made of ebony, measuring three and a half feet long. It is decorated with a gold lion and a garter. The rod is emblazoned with the motto of the Order of the Garter, ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ (‘Shame be to him, who evil thinks’).

Quotes

“It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life to serve as Black Rod during what has been a most extraordinary period. I am hugely grateful to the many exceptional people I have worked alongside during my term of office, whose support in enabling me to carry out my duties has been invaluable.” – Sarah Clarke CVO CBE, after stepping down from the role of Black Rod, February 2025

“I am profoundly humbled and extremely delighted to have been appointed by His Majesty to be the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod for the House of Lords, a role that stretches back 670 years. I take on this great honour with a deep sense of responsibility to serve the King and the House of Lords with a steadfast commitment and unwavering determination to uphold the excellence of my predecessors who have held this unique and remarkable position. Together with Black Rod’s team, I look forward, with relish and excitement, to rising to the opportunities and challenges ahead by building on Sarah Clarke’s inspiring legacy.” – Ed Davis CB CBE, commenting after being confirmed as the next Black Rod, April 2025

Additional resources

• Watch – MPs summoned by Black Rod to hear King’s Speech, The Independent, 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKQQxJRuNMw
• UK Parliament – Lieutenant General Ed Davis appointed as next Black Rod: https://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/media-centre/house-of-lords-media-notices/2025/april-2025/lieutenant-general-ed-davis-appointed-as-next-black-rod/