Parliament has been formally prorogued, signalling a significant shift with the end of hereditary peers in the House of Lords and ending a tradition hundreds of years old. The formal announcement, delivered on behalf of King Charles at a traditional ceremony in the upper chamber on Wednesday, brought the current parliamentary session to a close. This historic occasion marked the final time hereditary peers , who inherit their titles through their families, will occupy seats in the Lords. The majority of the peers lost their seats in 1999, but 92 retained the right to sit and cast their vote in the chamber. However, the new House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill has now effectively reduced this number to zero, though several have since been permitted to continue sitting as life peers. Ahead of the prorogation, Lords Speaker Lord Forsyth of Drumlean paid tribute to those losing their seats on the red benches.…