King Charles III today delivered his third King’s Speech as monarch, marking the 2026 state opening of parliament. The speech marks the beginning of a new parliamentary session , and is both historically symbolic and an important moment where the government ’s legislative plans for the year ahead are set out. It comes as Sir Keir Starmer faces the biggest challenge to his premiership to date , with nearly 100 of his own MPs calling for him to step down in the wake of disastrous local election results. Seated on a throne in the House of Lords, King Charles said: “An increasingly dangerous and volatile world threatens the United Kingdom , with the conflict in the Middle East only the most recent example. Every element of the nation’s energy, defence and economic security will be tested.…